Bridgestone North (UK & Ireland) appoints David Almazán commercial business director

Bridgestone has appointed David Almazán as its new commercial business unit director for Bridgestone in the North Region. He fills the role vacated by Greg Ward, who left Bridgestone in January to become Halfords Autocentres commercial sales director. Almazán first joined Bridgestone in April 2016. He moves to the UK from Madrid, where he served as the company’s commercial business unit director for the South West Region, encompassing Spain and Portugal. He previously worked for MAN Trucks & Bus, initially as controlling manager and subsequently as trucks sales director for Spain. He will report to Andrea Manenti, Bridgestone’s North Region vice president, and will take responsibility for developing and executing Bridgestone’s commercial business strategy within the UK and Ireland.

David Almazán said: “I am thrilled to take up this role in a region that has set the benchmark across EMIA for commercial solutions and sales results. What is already clear is that we have an amazing team here who are continuing to achieve great things. It’s a pleasure to be joining them and I am really confident of being able to support them with my own knowledge and expertise in the marketplace.

“Our products, services and people are second-to-none and both will be crucial as we move towards a position of ‘mobility solutions leader.’ There are a lot of opportunities out there and I look forward to supporting the team in seizing them.”

Bridgestone states that during his time leading the South West region’s commercial team, Almazán was instrumental in developing Bridgestone’s Total Tyre Care programme. He also grew the company’s fleet business in the region, elevating a ‘value solution’ proposition across all products including agricultural (AG), off-the-road (OTR) and truck bus and radial (TBR).

Andrea Manenti added: “David has contributed to deliver consistent results across the commercial business unit, he implemented a new structure that allowed our South West region to offer a more customer-focused go-to-market strategy adapting to a rapidly changing market with decisiveness and high energy

“Additionally, his experience in the truck industry will help in building in our region the mindset needed to futureproof our strategy and maximise the collaboration with retail, solutions and Webfleet Solutions to respond to the future needs of the commercial mobility industry.”