Nina Bell appointed BVRLA Chairwoman

The BVRLA has appointed Nina Bell as the new Chair of the association, taking over from LeasePlan’s Matt Dyer, who has stepped downafter completing his two-year term.

Nina has been with Avis Budget for seven years and has been in the role of UK Managing Director since 2015. She joined the BVRLA’s Committee of Management in August 2015 and was appointed to the position of vice-Chair in May 2018.

Commenting on her new position, Nina said: “It is an honour to be appointed as the first female Chair of the BVRLA and I am delighted to be working with Gerry, the Committee of Management and the excellent team at the BVRLA to continue progressing delivery of our 3-year Business Plan successfully launched under Matt’s leadership.

“It is an exciting and challenging time for our industry and I look forward to supporting the team in the great work which is underway to positively contribute to the big issues affecting our industry including clean air, taxation, future mobility, regulation and further developing the reputation of the sectors we represent.

“I am passionate about diversity in all its forms and look forward to leading the BVRLA through its next phase of growth as we continue to attract an increasingly diverse membership of rental, leasing and broker businesses of all sizes.”

Other significant changes on the BVRLA board include Alphabet’s Chief Executive Officer Nick Brownrigg stepping up to become the new vice-Chair of the association.

In addition, Neal Francis, Managing Director of Pendragon Vehicle Management Ltd joins the board having recently been appointed the Chairman of the Leasing and Fleet Management Committee.

BVRLA Chief Executive, Gerry Keaney welcomed Nina as the association’s Chairwoman: “I am delighted to welcome Nina. She has made a significant contribution to the rental sector in her role as Managing Director of Avis Budget UK and has made a valued contribution on the BVRLA board since 2015.

“Under Matt’s leadership, and with the support of the rest of the Committee of Management, the last two years have seen the largest level of investment into the association in its 50-year history, enabling us to scale up our operations and effectiveness. We are already seeing the fruits of this investment as delivery of our Business Plan progresses. I thank Matt for his support during his tenure and look forward to continuing our work with Nina.”