Renault Trucks UK and Ireland is making significant structural and leadership changes to its retail arm, Renault Truck Commercials, as it moves to grow its UK market share.
The strategy sees Renault Truck Commercials, the largest Renault Trucks dealer group in the UK, now operating as two distinct regions - West England & South Wales, and Greater London & South East England.
General directors Steve Astill and Paul Irving will lead these newly established regions and report directly to Carlos Rodrigues, Renault Trucks UK & Ireland MD.
Steve Astill has been appointed as general director for Renault Truck Commercials West England & South Wales.
Astill joined Renault Trucks in 2006 as a dealer at RH Commercial Vehicles before moving to Renault Truck Commercials in 2020. He has primarily focused on the aftersales side of the business.
Renault Trucks praised Astill for his “deep understanding of the region, (which) coupled with his natural drive, enthusiasm, and passion for the brand, will be instrumental in supporting growth and enhancing the customer experience”.
Paul Irving will head up the Greater London & South East region as general director. He brings 30 years of industry experience, including 15 years leading the HTC Group, a DAF dealership under Ballyvesey Group ownership.
The company said Irving “brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in leadership. His commitment to for people, performance, and customer experience will be invaluable in driving the business forward in this key region”.
Announcing the deal today, Renault Trucks said the restructuring reflects its commitment to enhancing regional expertise, operational efficiency and customer experience, setting the foundation for further growth.
It added that the newly established regional structure is designed to enhance responsiveness, improve service delivery and strengthen engagement across Renault Truck Commercials dealers.
“By focusing on the unique market opportunities and challenges in each region, Renault Trucks aims to position Renault Truck Commercials as a leading customer-centric dealer,” the company said.
Carlos Rodrigues added: “The new regional structure for Renault Truck Commercials, and the appointment of our strong new leadership team, marks a forward-looking milestone for Renault Trucks’ Retail organisation in the UK, unlocking the full potential to meet ambitious growth targets and deliver unparalleled value to customers.
“We are delighted to welcome Steve and Paul, who both bring a wealth of experience, expertise and regional knowledge to their roles.”
In addition Renault Trucks has established a separate rental business for Renault Truck Commercials, known as Rental+, which is headed up by Andy Taylor, who will also report directly to Carlos Rodrigues.
As a franchisee of the Vertellus national contract hire brand, Rental+ will work closely with the two Renault Truck Commercials’ regions to develop flexible and tailored solutions for customers.
The company said the Renault Truck Commercials’ Rental+ business will “play a key role in transforming the industry, supporting customers in their decarbonisation journey by offering a full range of innovative and sustainable contract hire solutions”.
It added that these organisational changes do not impact Renault Trucks Scotland, which remains an integral part of Renault Trucks’ wholly owned Retail organisation.
