CONGRATULATIONS to Samantha Ward who has been appointed the new managing director of Newport-based Vansdirect.
Samantha was appointed operations director in 2020, and now steps up to the number one role at the Vertu-owned leasing brokerage.
She first joined the company in 2016 as a part-time training and development cooordinator, before taking on the fulltime role of training and compliance manager in 2018.
I want to make Vansdirect the market leader in online retailers. When you think vans, I want you to think Vansdirect. I want us to be a one stop shop for van owners, whether it’s the vehicle, the insurance, the accessories, whatever! Someone should be able to come to us and, if it’s van related, we should be able to help.
Samantha added that she saw her role to keep building the business as a Vertu Motors plc ambassador and encouraging staff to be their best selves. She continued:
The culture was essential to me when I joined, and I want to make sure that it’s as welcoming to all current and future colleagues.
Samantha takes over from Richard Simmons – who stepped away from the buinses in April 2020 after over 10 years with the leasing broker. Since then the business has been guided by sales director Paul Cox.
Samantha will be the second female managing director of Vansdirect. She follows from Jane Pocock, who relinquished her position when the business was sold to Vertu Motors plc.
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Ralph Morton is the leading journalist in the leasing broker sector and editor of Broker News, the website which provides information and news for BVRLA-registered leasing brokers. He also writes extensively on the fleet and leasing market in both the UK and Europe.
