Lex Service PLC, the motoring and business solutions company, announces the following organisational changes as part of its programme of integration to bring the Lex and RAC businesses closer together and give a clear focus on its substantial growth opportunities. The changes combine the areas in which Lex and RAC have similar skills and processes and enable the company to build on these to provide a better and more efficient service to its customers.
- RAC Consumer Services, led by Findlay Caldwell, includes all RAC's consumer activities which provide a comprehensive range of motoring services to individual customers, together with RAC Auto Windscreens and BSM.
- RAC Business Solutions, led by Gary Spellins, combines the existing activities of RAC Business Services and Lex Business Solutions. RAC Business Services provides a range of motoring services and outsourced solutions to business customers including motor manufacturers and insurance companies. Lex Business Solutions manages complex outsourcing bids for both large private sector companies and the public sector, particularly in defence.
- Lex Vehicle Leasing, led by Jon Walden, is the UK's leading car contract hire business, and continues unchanged.
- Lex Industrial Solutions, led by Andy Hobart, consists of Lex's mechanical handling activities and Lex Transfleet, its commercial vehicle contract hire and fleet management business.
- Manufacturer Support Services, led by Peter Harris, brings together Lex's businesses which provide outsourced marketing and inventory management services to vehicle manufacturers. It includes Lex Multipart; Lex Commercials, its network of commercial vehicle dealerships; and Lex's Hyundai and Isuzu Truck importerships.
These five business areas will be supported by three company-wide functions. Operations, led by Barrie Thrussell, includes all RAC Operations together with a reinforced company-wide focus on best practice in operations to provide stronger leadership in improving processes, quality and efficiency. Finance and IT is led by Paul Hewitt and Human Resources and Communications is led by Debbie Howard.
Findlay Caldwell, Gary Spellins and Barrie Thrussell will report to Andy Harrison, Chief Executive, and will join the Executive Board.
Graeme Potts, Group Managing Director of RAC and a director of Lex, has decided to pursue new opportunities and will leave the company on 31st January 2002.
Andy Harrison, Chief Executive, said: "The new organisation will bring a strong focus on our growth opportunities, greater clarity on the distinct needs of retail consumers and business customers, as well as substantial opportunities to further improve efficiency and quality across the whole company.
"Graeme has made a substantial contribution and led an impressive turnaround in RAC's performance, combining better customer service, growth in customer numbers and improved operational performance with stronger financial results. We thank Graeme for his contribution and wish him well in the future. RAC continues to perform well and its 2001 results are in line with expectations. This reorganisation will incur some costs, but together with increased investment in 2002, will accelerate RAC's growth in 2003 and beyond."
Enquiries :
Kate Holgate,
Brunswick 020 7404 5959
Michael Webster,
Brunswick 020 7404 5959
Notes to Editors:
Lex Service Executive Board
The Lex Service Executive Board will be made up as follows:
Findlay Caldwell
Findlay Caldwell has been Managing Director of RAC's Consumer Division since joining the company in February 1998.
He was previously Merchandise and Marketing Director of Halfords, Merchandise and Marketing Director of Dillons Bookstores, Marketing Director of Littlewoods Chain Stores and Director of Marketing Services, Boots the Chemist.
Peter Harris
Peter Harris joined the company as Finance Director in 1994 and became Managing Director of Lex's commercial vehicle and inventory management businesses in January 1999. Previously he held a range of financial roles with Borden inc., a major US consumer products multi-national, and prior to this with Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
He is a non-executive director of Wembley plc.
Andrew Harrison
Appointed to the Board of Lex Service PLC as Chief Executive in 1996. Previously a director of Courtaulds Textiles plc, responsible for its International Fabrics and Home Furnishings businesses, having worked for the Courtaulds group since 1986.
Paul Hewitt
Paul Hewitt joined Lex as Group Finance Director in March 1999. Previous appointments include Finance Director of Redland Plc and Euromoney Publications PLC.
He is currently a non-executive director of The Listening Company Ltd.
Andy Hobart
Andy Hobart joined Lex in September 2000 as Managing Director of Lex's mechanical handling businesses. In July 2001 he took on responsibility for Industrial Solutions, bringing together the company's mechanical handling activities with Lex Transfleet, both of which provide service intensive solutions delivered in similar ways to common customer groupings.
Before joining Lex Andy was Director, Special and Medical Products at BOC.
Debbie Howard
Debbie Howard joined Lex in 1987 and held various human resources and operational positions before becoming Human Resources Director for the group in December 1997.
Before this she was in retail management with Marks and Spencer.
She is a non-executive director of Alumasc plc.
Gary Spellins
Gary Spellins rejoined Lex in August 1998 as Managing Director, Lex Managed Services having been with the company previously from 1991-1995 as Sales and Marketing Director Lex Vehicle Leasing. In August 1999 he joined the Board of RAC Motoring Services as Managing Director, RAC Business Services. Prior to this he was the European Marketing Director for GE Capital - European Equipment Finance.
Barrie Thrussell
Barrie Thrussell joined RAC Motoring Services in February 1996 as Managing Director, Operations. Prior to this he was the Operations Director at Halfords, and previously Director of worldwide aftersales for Jaguar Cars LTD.
Jon Walden
Jon Walden was appointed Managing Director, Lex Vehicle Leasing in May 1999. He had previously held a number of senior management positions within Lex including Deputy Chief Executive of Volvo Concessionaires, overseeing the company's acquisition of Hyundai Car in the UK, and Managing Director of both Lex Vehicle Leasing and Lex Retail.
He is a non-executive director of Morgan Sindall plc.
Lex Service PLC Board
The Lex Service PLC Board is made up as follows:
Sir Trevor Chinn,
Chairman
Andrew Harrison,
Chief Executive
Bill Cockburn,
Non-executive Director
Peter Hickson,
Non-executive Director
Michael Ost,
Non-executive Director
Peter Long,
Non-executive Director
Peter Harris,
Managing Director, Manufacturer Support Services
Jon Walden,
Managing Director, Lex Vehicle Leasing
Paul Hewitt,
Group Finance Director
Debbie Howard,
Group HR Director