Under the changes, which took effect on 1 April 2015, Simon Oliphant, currently CEO of the Vehicle Solutions group, has been appointed as head of a new Strategy Office created by Hitachi Capital Corporation (Japan), which will look at delivering this global strategy. 

Oliphant has worked for Hitachi Capital for 27 years, the last 15 running its UK vehicle leasing and fleet management business. In 2014 he led the acquisition of Corpo Flota (Poland) and will be responsible for growing Hitachi Capital’s vehicle operations in Europe going forward. This success and the group’s growth under his leadership will be used as the blueprint and platform for global expansion. 

Oliphant will become chairman of the Vehicle Solutions UK business, handing over operational responsibility to Jon Lawes, who is currently divisional managing director of Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Solutions. He will remain a director of parent company Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC. 

Lawes is promoted to managing director of the Vehicle Solutions group which includes the commercial vehicle, car leasing and driving instructor businesses. 

Lawes joined Hitachi Capital in 2001 and since 2006 has been responsible for the successful growth of the commercial vehicle business. 

Robert Wastell will continue as divisional managing director of Hitachi Capital Car Solutions, as will Chris Tarry as general manager of Hitachi Capital Driving Instructor Solutions. 

“I am immensely proud of what we have achieved at Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, especially as it is being used as the benchmark for expansion into other countries and continents,” commented Simon Oliphant. 

“I would like to congratulate Jon Lawes on his new role. He knows our UK business and customers very well so he is in a great position to continue to drive the business forward, whilst maintaining continuity,” he added. 

Chris Shirai, chairman and chief executive for Hitachi Capital Corporation America and Europe, said: “The launch of the Strategy Office is a clear indication of our group’s appetite to extend the successful Vehicle Solutions formula into other markets. Simon’s great track record in this sector makes him the perfect leader of this exciting new initiative.”