New Optare UK Retail Sales Manager

Optare Plc has appointed Tim Matthews as its UK Retail Sales Manager, a role that will see him report to UK Sales Director, John Horn. Tim’s involvement in the bus industry began in 1993 with Autobus Classique, which was purchased by Optare in 1996. Tim was the manufacturing team’s Materials Manager, responsible for all purchasing and logistics at the Optare Rotherham site. In 2000, he moved to Mistral Group as Northern Sales Manager, covering the sales and rental function. In 2004 he became Regional Director and then in 2009 Sales Director, responsible for sales of new, ex-fleet and part exchange vehicles. As part of this role, he acted as a sales agent for Optare, renting Solos, Versas and Tempos, as well as for the Wrightbus Streetlite and latterly for ADL, selling and renting Enviro200s to the retail market.

Sales, Marketing and Service Director of Optare, David Siviero, said, ‘I am very pleased to welcome Tim to his new role in the company. He brings with him a wealth of sales, rental and finance experience and has particularly strong connections across the independent sector. Tim’s appointment will strengthen the commercial team and support the company in achieving growth in the UK.’