DAF Trucks UK names new boss as Laurence Drake steps down

DAF Trucks in the UK has appointed a new MD after Laurence Drake announced he was departing the manufacturer.

David Kiss (pictured), currently sales director for PACCAR Parts Europe, will step into the role following Drake’s surprise decision to pursue a career away from the company.

In his new position, Kiss will report to Richard Zink, director of marketing and sales, at DAF Trucks headquarters in Eindhoven.

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He has spent more than 16 years with DAF Trucks parent company PACCAR Inc and has also occupied the role of MD at DAF Hungary and the company-owned dealer Hungarotruck for three years.

Kiss graduated from the International Business School in Budapest (BA Business Studies) and in 2022 he earned his Executive MBA degree at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam.

Drake became DAF’s youngest ever boss when he was promoted to MD at the age of 44 in September 2019 following a reshuffle.

In a statement, DAF Trucks said it wanted to place “on record its gratitude to Laurence Drake for his many years in helping DAF Trucks grow in the UK, while offering David its very best wishes in his new role”.