Michelin has named Andrew French as B2B sales director for the UK and Ireland with immediate effect as Chris Smith moves to a global role.

Andrew French, B2B sales director for the UK and Ireland at Michelin

French assumes responsibility for truck and bus, van, agriculture, construction, mining and the Services and Solutions business lines.

The appointment comes as he celebrates his 25^th anniversary with the company – having joined Michelin as an apprentice in 1996. Since then he has qualified as a chartered management accountant and held a number of UK commercial management team roles, from business partner controller to key account manager.

In 2018 he assumed the role of director – services and solutions for the UK, Ireland and Nordics, heading a team looking after some of Michelin’s largest European customers.

Commenting on his new appointment, French said: “I am hugely excited to land a role which will enable me to work across so many parts of the Michelin business. These are all sectors where we can provide sustainable and connected mobility solutions which will help to drive fleet safety, compliance and efficiency to new levels, all in a sustainable manner.

Chris Smith will take over the role of global marketing director long distance transportation, from 1 November

“My focus is going to be on ensuring we deliver the highest standards of customer satisfaction and growth. There are a lot of companies evaluating new ways of working as the country starts to build back stronger, smarter and greener from the pandemic, and we are confident this will bring new opportunities for Michelin – both with tyres, and around tyres.”

He succeeds Chris Smith, who previously held the role as part of his wider remit as managing director. Smith is moving to Michelin’s international headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France, and will take over the role of global marketing director long distance transportation, from 1 November.

Smith joined Michelin in 2007 and has extensive experience across the business – including nearly three years as head of truck marketing for the UK and Ireland, followed by a year as truck and bus marketing director for North Europe.