Ed Cowell has been appointed to the new post of CEO with a brief to spearhead the company’s continued growth in the commercial vehicle contract hire, fleet management and rental sectors.
Cowell began his career began with the British Army in 1991, successfully completing the Joint Services Advanced Command and Staff Course, and serving in Northern Ireland, Germany, the Middle East and Africa.
Upon leaving the armed forces in 2007 he joined Barclays Private Bank for two years, before transferring to G4S, where he has held a number of senior roles, including international account director and global sales director for the risk management business.
He joins Fraikin from Speedy Services where he spent two years, firstly as head of major accounts and shortly after group sales and marketing director.
Cowell said: “The UK is a major market for the Fraikin Group and one which offers significant potential for continued growth. The opportunity to work closely with such a strong team was a key driver in accepting the role as CEO.
“I’m looking forward to introducing new ideas and playing a key part in shaping the next chapter in Fraikin’s near 40-year UK history. I’m confident my breadth of experience, and in particular my time on the senior executive management team at Speedy, will hold me in good stead.”
Bryn Thomas has also joined Fraikin Ltd and has been appointed as chief finance officer to replace Emmanuelle Kergoat, who has returned to Paris after six years to take on a new role within the Fraikin Group.
Thomas is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants In England and Wales and has spent two decades working with Peugeot and Citroën as well as at the combined business, Peugeot Citroën Automobiles, in the UK and Ireland, where his most recent role was as director of commercial finance.
At Fraikin he has full responsibility for the Finance Department, and works closely with Group Finance to ensure that fiscal strategy is aligned to support growth, profitability and global performance objectives.
