The board that drives the DriveTech (UK) business forward includes Andrew Strong, Chief Executive Officer of the AA, Andy Bowland, Financial Director of the AA and Jim Kirkwood, Managing Director of DriveTech (UK). They are supported by a highly experienced group of senior managers who provide product and service development as well as operational delivery, expertise and support.

Jim Kirkwood - Managing Director

Jim joined DriveTech in February 2004. Jim has extensive commercial and corporate experience having held senior leadership positions within a number of “blue chip” companies such as Eastman Kodak Company, LG Electronics, Infobank International, Barclays and Fujitsu-Siemens. Jim is responsible for setting DriveTech’s go-to-market strategy and managing day-to-day operations.

Sarah Austin - FleetSafe Customer Care

Sarah is responsible for managing the customer relationships within DriveTech. She manages the complete end-to-end course delivery process through a team of dedicated administrators and customer care personnel who look after each individual DriveTech customer. Using her extensive experience of customer care delivery both in the UK and Europe, Sarah ensures that all trainers across the UK are in the right place, at the right time with the right information.

Alison Crump - Driving At Work Programmes

Alison joined DriveTech in January 2003 and brought with her 10 years of fleet and risk management experience with a major pharmaceutical company. Alison has hands-on experience of launching and implementing a fleet safety programme and won the accolade of the Fleet News Risk Manager of the Year in 2002. As well as managing some major accounts, Alison heads up the DriveTech Corporate Risk Team and ensures delivery of corporate risk assessments, driving licence/at work documentation checks and policy writing.

Steve Dethick - Training

Steve joined DriveTech over ten years ago as a consultant driver trainer. Having served in the British Army, where he gained valuable knowledge of a variety of different vehicles, Steve initially set up his own driver training business. In 1998, he joined DriveTech delivering courses ranging from Advance Test Preparation through to high level personal security. He was promoted to Training Manager in 2006 after successfully bringing the SAFED for Vans training programme to market. Today, Steve is responsible for the strategic planning for the training department and ensuring the quality of training delivery exceeds industry expectations. He holds Advanced Driving qualifications and is licenced to drive all classes of vehicle.

Steve Harris - IT & Technical

Steve joined DriveTech from Data Programmes Limited, a sister company, following the merger of the two companies. Steve previously ran a successful software development and consultancy company and gained wide industry recognition through many high profile appearances at key conferences and seminars. Steve is recognised as one of the UK’s foremost experts on visual software development and has authored and co-authored more than a dozen textbooks. Steve is responsible for the full lifecycle development of DriveTech’s IT solutions, from the creation of core concepts and strategies, through to implementation and delivery.

Roger Reynolds - Operations

Roger joined DriveTech with a wealth of general management and operational experience in the fast moving mobile telecoms industry for companies such as Cellnet (O2), Orange, T-Mobile, Marconi Wireless and Ericsson. From a radio engineering background, his management skills have been applied in driving business units forward in a wide variety of roles covering network operations, consultancy, customer care, sales solutions and business development. Roger has an MBA and is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology.

David Richards - Marketing

David has been involved in business-to-business marketing since 1983 and has a wealth of business experience gained with small and medium sized enterprises as well as large corporates including IMI plc, Misys plc and General Electric of America. Joining DriveTech in 2004, he is currently responsible for the identification, development and delivery of marketing campaigns across the whole company that support the strategy of the business and increase business revenue and profitability. He has an MBA from Warwick Business School and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Andy Wheeler - DriverAware

Andy is a former Traffic Police Officer - Class One driver - with over 12 years experience with Thames Valley Police. Andy initially joined DriveTech in 1994 as a driver trainer and subsequently introduced ISO 9001 quality standards to DriveTech in 1997. For many years, Andy was responsible for the development of all of DriveTech’s training programmes managing a substantial team of permanent and consultant trainers as well as the DriveTech Academy. In 2008, Andy was promoted to run the DriverAware business unit responsible for creating, implementing and running a variety of driver education schemes on behalf of a number of UK Police forces. Andy is an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), a RoSPA examiner and DSA-registered fleet trainer.

Sarah Winter - Finance & Accounts

Sarah joined DriveTech in 2007 and has full responsibility for running the finance department including accounts and payroll. She has extensive experience of management accounting within smaller, entrepreneurial businesses enabling her to work seamlessly with, and provide financial expertise to, the leadership and management teams. Sarah is AAT qualified (accounts & payroll).