5th April 2024
City Auction Group has today announced four new senior appointments for its vehicle remarketing and logistics operations based in the Peterborough HQ following record growth over the last 12 months.
Mark Thomas joins the Group as the new Corporate Sales Director with an exemplary track record spanning three decades working in senior management roles at BCA, MBFS, Fiat/Alfa Romeo, Adesa and more recently TL Darby VW.
In his new role at City Auction Group, Mark will be responsible for further developing the business across both the corporate and dealer markets with particular emphasis on manoeuvring the dealer/part exchange sale to a stand-alone evening sale each Monday evening. This will coincide with the expansion at the Peterborough centre of a new 150 vehicle indoor viewing arena and enhanced acreage in the parking zone for sale vehicles.
Mark Thomas commented ‘I have witnessed the growth at City Auction Group and I’m delighted to be joining at the present time as physical auctions are thriving again after the last few years of online only auctions. With the Group’s blend of experience and enthusiasm, it makes it a perfect combination to facilitate the growth in demand within the vehicle remarketing sector.
The former Head of Aftersales and Operations at Cazoo Daniel Smith will be joining the Group’s logistics arm PurpleRock as the new Operations Director from Monday 15 April 2024. Daniel will be responsible for developing PurpleRock’s vehicle defleet, logistics and repair solutions across all locations including new ventures to be announced in the NW and Midlands.
Daniel Smith commented ‘I am delighted to be joining PurpleRock as their Operations Director to lead their defleet service solution. It’s an exciting time to join the business with the imminent redevelopment of the thirty acre Wittering operation and the addition of new sites across the UK over the next three to six months’.
The group has also made two internal appointments to future proof the growth with Chris Martins leading the PurpleRock Logistics business taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer with immediate effect. Chris will be responsible for extending the PurpleRock Logistics footprint across the UK and further developing its vehicle delivery locations across the UK which is currently operating at 15 regional centres.
Zaiga Jinkinson has been promoted to Operations Director at City Auction Group after her dedication and passion has revitalised the back office and customer journey. In her new role, Zaiga will be responsible for the auction operations including planning, execution, and post auction activities.
Zaiga Jinkinson commented ‘I am eager to contribute my skills and experiences to a team known for its innovative approach to the remarketing industry. The chance to collaborate with talented individuals such as Michael Tomalin and Darren Betteridge and the City Auction Group team, we aim to work towards common goals which is truly inspiring for me’.
Michael Tomalin, CEO of City Auction Group & PurpleRock commented ‘We are delighted to welcome such talented and experienced automotive professionals to our senior management team. These four new appointments represent a major investment for the Group taking our operations to the next level through the enhancement and development of our innovative remarketing solutions for corporate vendor partners, franchised dealers, car supermarkets and financial institutions’.
“We have seen huge growth in sales over the last 12 months up by 47% across our sites in Peterborough and Northern Ireland. Our headcount has also doubled in the same period and we are now poised to become the powerhouse remarketing centre in the Midlands and East Anglia. We are also expanding PurpleRock across the UK with more locations to offer market leading solutions for secure storage and the complete portfolio of vehicle preparation service standards’.
Tomalin is working in unison with Darren Betteridge, Group Strategy Director as the business is poised to develop into a market leading independent defleet, logistics and remarketing solution to compete and lead the next inspiring chapter in their chosen sector.
PurpleRock provides compound services with preparation facilities to enhance vehicle condition, PDI, inspect, valet and deliver to dealer networks or individual clients through PurpleRock UK wide.