Activate Group has appointed Robert Deane as Managing Director of Activate Accident Repair and Activate Parts, strengthening the Group’s leadership team as it continues to develop its owned repair and parts divisions.
Robert joins the business from Volvo UK, where he was Commercial Director, overseeing a network of 93 retail sites and leading aftersales, operations, parts supply and the repair network.
In his new role, he will join the Activate Group Board and Executive Team, taking responsibility for the strategic direction and performance of the Group’s repair and parts operations.
Activate Group operates across the full collision management sector, working with some of the UK’s best-known insurers, fleets and manufacturers to deliver cost-effective motor claims and repair journeys.
Its repair division, Activate Accident Repair, runs thirteen state-of-the-art centres in high demand areas across the UK. These sites work alongside a partner network of more than 650 repairers to deliver tens of thousands of repairs each year.
Activate Parts, the Group’s in-house parts provider, partners with a UK wide supplier network to offer a one-stop parts solution for repairers, and support fleet customers to maximise parts efficiency and reduce downtime.
Robert brings extensive automotive experience to the Group, having held senior leadership roles at Harley Davidson and JATO Dynamics. He also boasts excellent knowledge of the Chinese automotive market, having spent four years in China with Jaguar Land Rover, where he developed the brand’s product strategy for the Chinese market.
Deane said: “I’m delighted to be joining Activate Group at a time when the industry is evolving so quickly – there’s a real buzz around the business.
“I’ve already had the chance to spend time with many members of the leadership team, and their expertise and commitment to doing the right thing for customers really stood out. I’m excited about the opportunity to shape the strategy across the Group and build on the strong foundations already in place.”
Hannah Wilcox, CEO, Activate Group, added: “I’d like to wish a very warm welcome to Robert. I know his proven leadership across complex operations will be a fantastic asset in achieving our vision to be a transformational leader in collision management. Our repair and parts divisions are core to our end-to-end offering, and Robert’s appointment will enable us to take these capabilities to the next level for our customers.”
