The BVRLA has appointed Toby Poston as its next chief executive after Gerry Keaney retires at the end of the year.
Currently director of corporate affairs, Poston will lead the UK’s vehicle rental and leasing association from 1 January 2025, drawing on his 16 years’ experience with the association. During this time, he has been the association’s chief spokesperson and guided the industry’s response to a variety of challenges including Brexit, the Covid pandemic and terrorist attacks involving rental vehicles.
BVRLA chairman Jon Lawes said: “Toby is uniquely placed to lead the association through the challenging times ahead. He has piloted the transformation of its Policy and Public Affairs team and delivered a huge increase in the association’s voice of influence.
“He brings exceptional knowledge of the industry and a deep understanding of both the shared and diverse needs of our members. He impressed us with his strategic vision, passion for delivering member value and his intimate understanding of the BVRLA team.”
Poston commented: “I am thrilled and honoured for the opportunity to continue working with an industry, membership and team that I have so much respect and affection for.
“My role is to continue building the reputation and capabilities of the BVRLA so that it can support members in delivering decarbonisation and responding to a fast-moving regulatory environment.
“Further change and challenge are inevitable, but I will ensure that the association is fit for the future and ready to respond.”
Prior to joining the BVRLA, Poston spent over a decade as a journalist and editor, most of it with the BBC Business & Economics Unit.
Current campaign work by the BVRLA includes its call on the Government for urgent intervention to strengthen demand for used electric vehicles. Along with the AFP, Logistics UK, Recharge UK and the EV Café, it’s also launched the Zero Emission Van Plan, spotlighting the need for targeted government support for electric vans.
