Mel Dawson, managing director, of ALD Automotive UK is stepping down in June, following 22 years at the company.

Mel Dawson will step down as managing director at ALD Automotive UK on 30 June 2019

Following stints as commercial director in 1997 and sales director in 2004, Dawson was appointed managing director in 2012 where he oversaw a doubling of the company’s fleet size to 145,000 vehicles.

The company’s expansion of its multi-channel sales strategy through key partnerships and a focus on growing digital needs, let to ALD’s recent launch of the industry’s first end-to-end car leasing solution in the UK.

Mel Dawson commented: “I’ve had an amazing time at ALD and I’m lucky enough to have had the opportunity to work with some fantastic colleagues over that time who’ve helped us grow the business into what we have today. But with a clear strategy ahead, our digital foundations laid and an exceptional management team in place, I felt it was the right time to step aside as the company looks to take its mobility offering to the next level.”

Dawson will step down on 30 June, with his successor Tim Laver – currently ALD’s director of finance and risk – set to takeover on 1 July. Laver joined ALD in 2005 and became finance director in 2012.

Tim Laver, added: “As a colleague and friend he’ll be missed by all and we wish him every success in the future. Looking ahead over the next 18 months, in what is a rapidly changing mobility landscape, we have some very exciting plans in store and I’m really looking forward to tackling the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

ALD SA CEO, Mike Masterson commented: “I’d like to thank Mel for the massive contribution he has made to ALD over two decades. His leadership has been key to what the UK business has achieved, not only in terms of growth and innovation, but in building a very positive customer focused culture across the business.”