Drive Software Solutions has made a number of board and executive appointments, further driving its growth plans for Europe. 

Drive’s new management appointments

The additions come as the established UK fleet management software firm opens a Swiss office, secures further investment from Viva Investment Partners (VIP) and announces latest client wins. 

The new board appointments include Scott Fulton, co-chief investment officer of VIP, and a capital markets professional with experience in the UK, Switzerland and the UAE. Fulton becomes chairman and will work with Dr Julie Meyer, CEO of VIP, who led the acquisition of Drive Software Solutions in November 2019 and the subsequent repositioning of the firm towards electric vehicles, mobility and Europe. 

Drive has also appointed Khasha Mekanik, an experienced technology investor and entrepreneur, as its global head of business development. He will work alongside chief commercial officer Rob Gorby while the company will also recruit more sales managers and function directors to support Mekanik’s work amid growing demand for its solutions. 

Tim Shields, an experienced technologist, joins as chief technology officer. He brings a 20-year-plus background in the financial services, security and enterprise Saas ecosystems and will work with Dave Pegg, Drive’s director of technology and architecture. 

Drive provides the ODO Dashboard, based on Oracle technology, to fleet managers, electric vehicle charging networks and car rental companies across Europe. It has an installed base of 1.5 million vehicles, which is expanding fast. 

VIP’s CEO Julie Meyer said the global automotive industry was changing rapidly and that the management team’s focus was on profitable growth from a wider base, underpinned by an improved financial structure, a broader geographic footprint, and further applications which address real-world challenges.  

“Drive is growing fast, and it will require further professional resource to ensure that all appropriate opportunities are captured successfully,” she added. “The company is very pleased to appoint Khasha Mekanik and Tim Shields to leadership roles. They bring a depth and breadth of experience which is unrivalled in this market space. Drive is keen to recruit more personnel with the experience and vision to turn the company’s potential into a reality.”