Expected to be the first of a number of new appointments during 2015 as the company recruits to meet a fast-growing order bank and customer base, Vikkie Barker has joined as national accounts manager and Claire Howarth as accounts services manager – logistics.
Sign Language is predicting a 50% increase in business in 2015 following a doubling of turnover last year and that expansion has led to the creation of the roles.
Barker, who has spent 15 years working in the fleet industry including positions at the AA, National Windscreens and RAC, will notably focus on winning new business and managing relations with existing major customers.
It is a role that has historically been performed by Tobin Jenkins in addition to his responsibilities as Sign Language managing director. However, business growth has necessitated the new appointment with duties shared with Jenkins.
Meanwhile, Claire Howarth has joined Sign Language from Amey Fleet & Plant Ltd, a business unit within public services provider Amey Plc, where she was a member of the commercial vehicle procurement team.
At Sign Language, she is responsible for managing the entire logistics programme including vehicle location, graphics ordering and delivery and fitment by the company’s own applicators and national network of sub-contractors through to final sign-off.
Sign Language anticipates further appointments in 2015, including that of a dedicated marketing manager.
Tobin said: ‘2014 saw a sea-change in the size of the business and that is a reflection of the many initiatives we have implemented to gear ourselves up to meet the requirements of the fleet market.
‘The appointments of both Vikkie and Claire support the foundations that we have put in place and will further underpin the company’s growth aspirations.’
