The first two months of 2026 have already seen a notable wave of movement across the fleet and automotive sector, underlining just how competitive the talent market has become. With organisations investing in growth, technology and new energy solutions, experienced leaders and specialists are in high demand. These recent appointments and career moves reflect a tight labour market, where attracting and retaining capable people is clearly a strategic priority for businesses across the industry.
Isabella Stout started a new position as Fleet Manager – Small Fleet at SG Fleet.
Tim Shaw is now Fleet Coordinator at Tradiespec.
Denise McKechnie joined GWM Australia & New Zealand as Sales & Fleet Manager.
Ryan Coyne stepped into a new role as Sales Manager – Haulmax Wingman at Australian Tyre Traders.
Wade Harriman has taken over as Managing Director at Autorola Group – Australia.
Bryce Richardson has joined Corpay as Corporate Sales Manager – ANZ.
Allan Whyte is now Fleet Maintenance Manager at Liberty Oil.
Wade Fan has a new position as Dealer Business Development Manager at Omoda Jaecoo Australia.
Lexie Bova has joined Hidrive as Partnerships & Events Manager.
Adrian Magu is now Fleet Development Manager QLD NT at GWM Australia & New Zealand.
Gavin Liu started a new role as Regional Manager (Sales & Aftersales) – West as Bucher Municipal.
Philip Browne is now Managing Director at Test My EV.
Rodney Dalpadado has joined Polestar as Fleet Sales Manager.
Stephen Brown started a new role as Head of Product – Novated Leasing at McMillan Shakespeare.
Aaron Jarvis is now Vice President EMEA at Geotab.
Darren McGinty has joined The Benevolent Society as Fleet Coordinator.
Corbin Luther has a new role as General Manager at Rise of the Phoenix.
Tyler Colless has started a new position as State Development Specialist at NTI.
Anthony Petrocco is now State Fleet Sales Manager VIC/TAS at Mitsubishi Motors Australia.
Alex Gu was appointed as the new CEO at Geely Auto Australia.
Danny Lenartic has a new position as CEO at JMC Motor Australia.
Rahul Anand Senguttuvan has joined Directed Technologies as a Business Analyst.
Ben Hutt was appointed as the new Managing Director at Janus Electric.
James Challis started a new position as National Sales Manager at Fuelco.
Rob Cowell joined GWM Australia & New Zealand as Fleet Development Manager WA/SA.
Luke Callaway has stepped into the role of General Manager – Oceania at Hendrickson.
Andrew Pendlebury was promoted to Executive Manager – Engineering at Hendrickson Asia Pacific.
Paul Riley has joined Australian Electric Vehicle Specialists as Business Development Manager.
Glen Walker is now General Manager – Operations at Austruck X.
Mike Smith has joined Booran Motors as Fleet & Business Development Manager.
Grayden Leaver has a new role as Executive General Manager – Construction Equipment at CJD Equipment.
Sean Killen as promoted to Senior Vice President at Geotab.
Tom van Grinsven joined JET Charge as Senior Business Development Manager.
Bo Christensen was appointed as Head of Fleet Transition at NewVolt.
Hayden Russell was appointed as Regional Fleet Manager at Smart Environmental.
Jake Hooper has stepped into the role as National Maintenance Manager at Splend.
Jeff Nicotra started a new job as Key Account Manager at Ford Australia.
Tim Crilly moved to JAC Motors Australia as Head of Fleet.
Sam Dabestani is now Corporate Sales Manager – Rental, FMO & Large Fleet at BMW Australia.
- 365 Assistance backs fleet excellence as the industry’s demands expand
365 Assistance has joined the inaugural Fleet News Group Awards program as a Foundation Sponsor, backing an initiative designed to recognise the growing breadth of skills required to manage modern fleets. Ian Slater, Chief Commercial Officer at 365 Assistance, said fleet management had evolved well beyond vehicle purchasing, maintenance and operating costs. “Modern fleet management, - ANCAP Puts Four SUVs in the Five-Star ClassFour SUVs spanning mainstream, electric and premium segments have earned five-star ANCAP safety ratings, giving fleet buyers more choice when safety is a key part of vehicle selection. The Mazda CX-5, MG MGS6 EV, BMW X3 and Cupra Formentor were assessed against ANCAP’s 2023–2025 testing and rating criteria. For fleets, the results reinforce that strong
- Hyundai expects five-star ANCAP safety rating for STARIA Load HybridHyundai is confident its new STARIA Load Hybrid will achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating, with testing already underway as the company works to extend the existing rating to cover the new hybrid powertrain. The updated commercial van introduces Australia’s first full hybrid powertrain in the segment, raising questions for fleet buyers about whether the
- Grid capacity, not charger speed, is shaping the next phase of EV chargingThe public charging market has spent years promoting bigger and faster chargers, but the next phase of EV infrastructure will be shaped just as much by grid capacity as charger output. Speaking with Fleet EV News at the Autel EV Innovation Seminar 2026, Peter Burke, EV Infrastructure Delivery at the NRMA, said newer electric vehicles
- Foton Builds More Capability into the TunlandFoton Australia has partnered with three Australian accessory specialists to develop a genuine accessories range for the new Tunland V7 and V9 utes. The locally developed range is designed to help fleets, trades and small businesses configure the Tunland for specific operational requirements, with products covering cargo management, towing, recovery and vehicle protection. Ironman 4×4,
