The role will also see Mr Bernhardt look to extend the group’s leadership in alignment with the target model set in its transformation agenda, Fast Lane 2014.

Mr Bernhardt, a Swiss citizen, started his career in the hotel industry. He successively held the position of COO in the Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, Rezidor SAS Hospitality as well as the position of COO and CCO in the Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts group. In 2010 he was appointed executive VP and chief services officer (CSO), member of the Executive Board, at Gulf Air.

‘We are delighted to welcome Marcus Bernhardt in the Europcar group. With his long track record in the hotel and airline industry, Marcus will bring its know-how to enhance our customers’ experience,’ said Roland Keppler.

Mr Bernhardt also becomes one of four new appointments to Europcar’s Executive Committee along with Jacques Brun, chief transformation officer, Didier Fenix, Europcar Belgium general manager, who will be in charge of Europcar Belgium, Group Fleet and Urban Mobility, and Ken McCall, managing director of Europcar UK, who will be in charge of Europcar UK and Operation IT.

They join Roland Keppler, chief executive officer and Caroline Parot, chief financial officer under a revised setup.

Ken McCall commented: ‘My key aim as a member of this committee is to align our Group IT strategy with the needs of the business, while supporting daily operations. This role will enable us to identify and improve our internal processes for fleet and to further develop the Group’s IT platform. These initiatives will allow us to achieve our goals and deliver exceptional service for our customers.’

‘Our new corporate governance is a key milestone in the Europcar group transformation. The rationale behind this strategic move is to bring the group closer to the business and the countries and accelerate its transformation agenda, Fast Lane 2014,’ said Roland Keppler, Europcar group CEO.