Jameel Motors UK strengthens leadership as Farizon SV van launch accelerates
Effective immediately, Calum James joins as Head of Sales, and Sujai Sugathan as Head of Aftersales. This follows the appointment of Kate McLaren as Head of Marketing and Sales Operations in January, and Jeremy Wood as Head of Finance in February.
Jameel Motors UK is making these key strategic appointments to accelerate its launch phase in the UK following the official launch of the Farizon SV large van at the recent CV Show. The company has received strong interest for the vehicle from across the fleet sector. James joins Jameel Motors following a 11-year stint at Mercedes-Benz in the UK, initially as Fleet Development Manager before becoming an Aftersales District Manager for the London area. In August 2019, James then spent four years as National Fleet Sales Manager (Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars) and was most recently appointed Head of Corporate Sales (Mercedes-Benz Vans) in July 2023.
Sugathan brings with him over 20-years of automotive aftersales experience, both in the UK and India. He initially spent seven years as Service Head at Popular Vehicles & Services Ltd, the first Maruti Suzuki dealer in Kerala and now the biggest and only platinum-rated Maruti Suzuki dealer in India, before joining Mahindra and Mahindra as Customer Care Manager in 2012. Sugathan then joined Škoda India in 2016 as Area Service Manager, before switching to Area Sales Manager for the Czech brand. Sugathan’s most recent UK-based role was Aftersales Manager for LEVC specialist, Sherbet Electric Taxis.
McLaren brings 30-years of automotive OEM experience to Jameel Motors, having held senior positions with brands including Citroën, Renault, Fiat and Kia UK. Her specialisms lie in product and brand management and customer quality.
Wood joined Jameel Motors in February after eight years of senior experience in the automotive industry, initially as Lead Accountant at Marshall Motor Group, and then as Senior Finance Manager at MG Motor UK. He has also taken on the role as acting Managing Director for Jameel Motors (Farizon Auto UK), pending the appointment of a permanent successor to Tom Carney who recently left the company for personal reasons.
Commenting on the most recent appointments, Wood said: “Calum and Sujai have joined Jameel Motors at a crucial moment, as we kick on from the official UK launch of the born-electric Farizon SV at the Commercial Vehicle Show. With first customer deliveries due later in Q2 and very strong interest from the fleet sector, the team is delighted to welcome Calum and Sujai. Their experience will be invaluable as we execute our ambitious plan for the Farizon SV to win a major market share in the growing UK electric van market.”
Established in 2016, Farizon is the commercial vehicle division of Geely, China’s largest private vehicle manufacturer. The Farizon SV is being introduced to the UK by Jameel Motors UK, a London-based automotive distribution business and part of Jameel Motors. With the leadership team now fully in place, the company is in a strong position to grow on the back of unprecedented interest in the Farizon SV from across the fleet sector.
