Leasedrive

Biographies

David Bird FCA MCT - Managing Director
David Bird has unrivalled experience in successful business development and growth within the automotive finance and fleet management sector. This includes 23 years of mergers and acquisitions experience in key roles.

In his earlier position as chief operating officer at Leasedrive Group Limited, David Bird was responsible for introducing Drive:Manager, the industry-leading totally integrated online fleet management system which has set new benchmark standards for operational and customer service quality in the industry. He was one of the members of the original Leasedrive BIMBO transaction team in 2003.

Prior to his time at Leasedrive, David was chief operating officer at Shell Auto Finance (SAF), where he developed a state-of-the-art fleet management system. Although on target for a promising launch, Shell Capital decided, given the changing world economic environment at the time, to pursue a different strategic direction and closed down the business.

Before joining SAF, David was chief operating officer of the UK’s largest fleet management company, Arval PHH. He was responsible for steering the company through a period of dramatic growth, including a major acquisition, before playing a key role in the disposal of the business, first to Avis Rent-A-Car Inc. and then to BNP Paribas. Transaction values over a three-year period were close to $3bn.

David has also held senior positions as finance director with Automotive Leasing and financial controller with Leaseplan.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, David is also a qualified corporate treasurer. Married with three daughters, David, aged 51, lives in Riseley, near Reading, Berkshire.

Roddy Graham – Commercial Director
Roddy Graham, a strategic business professional with extensive experience in the vehicle rental and leasing industry, is commercial director of the Leasedrive Group. He is responsible for implementation of the company’s business development programme. Roddy is also chairman of the Institute of Car Fleet Management.

Before joining the Leasedrive BIMBO transaction team in a similar position in 2003, Roddy was managing director of Ignition Vehicle Management. This was a new venture, which Roddy steered from initial concept to a fully established operating leasing company. However, due to pressures in other parts of its business, Haydock Finance who backed the project took the decision to withdraw from the leasing sector in July 2002.

Before setting up Ignition Vehicle Management, Roddy Graham was managing director of Budget Rent a Car UK. Originally appointed as sales and marketing director, he played a key role in the acquisition of two car rental companies. Later, he led the purchase of seven licensee operations at a time when Budget was pursuing a business strategy of corporate-ownership.

Roddy Graham joined Budget from Highway Vehicle Management where he held the position of sales director for six years.

Roddy, aged 49, is married with two sons and lives in Chobham, Surrey.

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