Former Lookers MD Allan Rushforth joins First Hydrogen as CCO

Allan Rushforth has joined First Hydrogen as chief commercial officer for its automotive division.

The former Lookers managing director, joins the business with more than 35 years of experience in automotive. His career history includes time with OEMs including: BMW, Hyundai, Land Rover, Nissan and Volkswagen Group.

In January, former Ford engineering boss Steve Gill joined First Hydrogen as chief executive.

Rushforth’s most recent role was European managing director for the Marque Group, an Australian private equity-backed collective of auto technology businesses, where he was responsible for leading the group in European markets. Alongside this role he has also supported online electric vehicle marketplace, zeVie Cars, as non-executive director.

At First Hydrogen, Rushforth will be responsible for bringing the company’s hydrogen fleet vehicles to market. He will build brand value, partnerships and, when First Hydrogen’s demonstrator vehicles launch later this year, foster customer relationships. Responsible for scaling up First Hydrogen’s operations in Europe, he will also help to establish a “world-class” team that reflects the business’ “entrepreneurial and progressive spirit”.

Rushforth said: “I first drove hydrogen powered vehicles at Hyundai and since then have firmly believed that hydrogen plays a dominant role in the future of mobility. First Hydrogen is bringing that zero emissions future into the present. This role means I can work at the forefront of Europe’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, giving me the opportunity to change the world working with First Hydrogen’s innovative technology.

“I’m especially looking forward to accelerating the Company’s growth and working with our designers, engineers and prospective customers to shape the future.”

Stellantis confirmed that hydrogen plug-in hybrid vans based on the existing Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Vivaro will be offered in the UK later this year.