Bridgestone UK has begun the New Year with renewed intent after strengthening its consumer sales team with a coveted new appointment, along with an internal reorganisation aimed at generating new sales leads and re-engaging with existing customers.
Drew Chapman has been appointed as National Accounts Manager and will bring 20 years’ automotive experience to the role. He spent the last seven years as National Accounts Manager for Hankook, where he also worked in the car fleet and car dealer channel. Before this, Drew held a number of positions with Arval – one of the largest fleets in the UK – including sales manager and supplier relationship manager positions.
Drew’s arrival coincides with a restructuring of Bridgestone’s consumer sales team, featuring a promotion for Sally Smith, who will take on a Key Accounts Sales Manager role, following seven years as an account executive.
And Keith Thomas is now Bridgestone UK’s Strategic Partnership Manager following a successful period as UK Sales Manager. He will draw upon his vast experience to assist in setting and steering strategy, working closely with Bridgestone EMEA and the company’s strategic customers.
The announcements come on the back of Brett Emerson’s arrival in October 2019, who took on the role of Consumer Business Unit Director, North Region (after previously being a Sales Director at the Warwick-based business from 2002 to 2014).
Brett shares responsibility for continuing to develop Bridgestone’s position in the UK and Ireland as a leader in mobility solutions, providing real solutions to the real problems that drivers face on the road every day.
Brett Emerson, who is looking forward to a successful 2020 for Bridgestone UK, said: “Drew’s appointment is an exciting one for the business. He has over 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry and I know his proactivity and professionalism will be an asset to the consumer sales team.
“I’m thrilled to be working with a talented team with a diverse range of skills as a whole. The internal appointments are just rewards for a number of impressive contributions from colleagues over many years and I know that each member of the team will help us achieve our goals in 2020.
“Bridgestone’s premium product portfolio is amongst the very best in the industry and with this new-look consumer team boasting so much knowledge and experience, there is a great deal to be optimistic and excited about in the future.”
