Paul Lowdon has officially taken up his new post as general manager of Vertu Group Fleet following the retirement of long-time manager, David Jewell, last month.

Jewell retired from Vertu Group Fleet, part of Vertu Motors PLC, last month, after nine years of service and 48 years in the motor industry.

Lowdon has also been part of the Vertu Motors team since the company launched in 2006 and takes over the role after working alongside Jewell for 16 years.

Lowdon first worked alongside Jewell in his role as a local business specialist at Arriva fleet division in 2000.

The pair then joined forces to launch Reg Vardy’s very own fleet business in 2003.

After a number of successful years working across both local business and broker management roles, the pair moved to Vertu Motors in 2006.

Following Vertu Motors’ acquisition of Bristol Street Motors in 2007, Vertu Group Fleet was launched with three colleagues supplying 500 vehicles in its first year. The team has risen to 21 colleagues having sold 10,000 vehicles in eight years of business.

Lowdon is credited by the group for spearheading the growth of Vertu Motors fleet division and taking on the challenge of managing the whole Fleet team following David’s recent retirement.

“David’s shoes are big ones to fill but I’m very excited to take over the role of Group fleet general manager and continue my career with Vertu Motors,” he said.

“As one of the first colleagues to join Robert Forrester and David Crane on the Vertu Motors journey, I have watched the company grow from the ground up.

“We have moved several times to accommodate the ever-expanding Vertu Motors team and I am incredibly proud to take the helm of the fantastic fleet division.

He added: “We have a team of 21 professionals dedicated to delivering an outstanding customer experience to all fleet customers. I’m hoping to build on the already-strong part of the business and continue enforcing the company values of trust and commitment to every aspect of the role.”

Robert Forrester, CEO of Vertu Motors, commented on Paul’s promotion: “Paul has been an asset to the Vertu Motors team since day one. I’m delighted to see him promoted to manager of the fleet division.”