Free2Move Lease appoints new commercial director

Free2Move Lease, the wholly-owned subsidiary of PSA Group, has appointed Mark Pickles to the new role of UK Commercial Director.

Currently the Marketing Director for PEUGEOT UK, Pickles is a veteran of the PSA Group, having undertaken a number of senior roles since joining in 2000.

His experience includes spells as Parts & Service Director and Head of Retail Sales, and he was formerly responsible for Used Vehicle operations. Prior to joining PSA, Pickles cut his teeth in the retail sector with Hartwell PLC, where he undertook a number of Dealer Management roles. He is a graduate of The University of Manchester, where he studied Management Science.

In his most recent role as marketing chief at Peugeot, Pickles oversaw a complete overhaul of the brand, in preparation for the successful launch of a range of SUV products during the past two years. With sales volumes of these new products growing significantly, under-pinned by rapidly improving residual values, the approach has generated a renaissance in the strength of the French brand.

Reporting to Managing Director Duncan Chumley, he joins Free2Move Lease at a pivotal moment. Having launched in January 2017, combining the former Citroen Contract Motoring and Peugeot Contract Hire businesses, Free2Move Lease is currently the seventh largest leasing company in the UK.

Pickles said: “Having worked closely with Duncan and his team as Peugeot Marketing Director, the opportunity which exists to take the unique added-value product offer of Free2Move Lease to a bigger audience is obvious. With a great toolkit of innovative services, together with the benefits which come from a large group such as PSA, Free2Move Lease has significant growth potential”.

Chumley is equally excited by the experience which Pickles brings to this role.

He commented: “Mark and I share a vision of the growth potential for Free2Move Lease, having worked together closely in the last 18 months to develop Peugeot business sales. His marketing expertise, combined with an impressive CV in most areas of the OEM business, means he is well equipped to continue the growth we have already seen since launch.”