Joanne Machin named as DRIVE CEO

Published: 14th December 2021

Leasing and procurement specialist Joanne Machin has been appointed CEO of DRIVE Software Solutions, a leading provider of fleet management platforms to the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. With more than twenty years’ experience in senior roles across the industry, including Inchcape, GE Capital, Lex Vehicle Leasing, Machin takes the helm of DRIVE as the EV industry ramps up a gear.

Machin’s other previous roles in the OEM fleet management arena include a spell with LeasePlan, where she led global sales and marketing in 33 jurisdictions for five years at the company, which was sold by Volkswagen to TDR Capital for $4 billion in 2016.

Julie Meyer, CEO of VIP, and board director of DRIVE said: “It is a coup for DRIVE to attract the talent of Jo Machin. She will ensure that DRIVE becomes a strategic asset for the EV ecosystem.”

Commenting on her appointment, Joanne Machin said: “I have spent much of my career in automotive leasing. It is an industry which has developed considerably in that time. As I join DRIVE, my commitment to the industry remains, not least in leading a company which has such a contribution to make as automotive leasing evolves further. There is work to be done but I am intent that DRIVE will play a pivotal role in the industry’s next stage, as we all move from ownership to usership.”

DRIVE said it is well positioned to support global companies as they plan for the sustainable transition from internal combustion engines to EVs, with a strong installed base, fleet management expertise, and an integrated dashboard providing the data that will enable fleet financing, driver performance optimization and event management.

Since November 2019 when Swiss investment corporation VIVA Investment Partners AG (VIP) acquired DRIVE, the company has secured major contracts, improved the management team with leading technology executives, and expanded into the EU. It has attracted investment from Capital Innovators in the UK, a leading technology venture capital fund, as well as from John Porter and other technology investors.