New Operations Director appointed at MFS

Industry heavyweight joins expanding commercial vehicle service business

In a top-level Main Board appointment at Marshall Fleet Solutions, industry heavyweight Les Gillies has joined the UK’s largest independent commercial vehicle service business as Operations Director, to head up the company’s national operations team covering transport refrigeration, tail lift and fleet management services.

Les Gillies joins the main board at Marshall Fleet Solutions, working alongside Sales Director Michael Kane and MFS’s Managing Director Mark Howell.

Announcing details of this key appointment at MFS, managing director Mark Howell said, “Today’s commercial vehicle industry is more competitive than ever, and it is vital that our business focus is firmly fixed on providing our customers with the best possible service at all times. By appointing such an experienced person as Les Gillies to this role, MFS will undoubtably benefit from his 30 years’ experience within chilled and frozen food distribution as he will certainly bring a fresh pair of customer orientated eyes to our business.”

“MFS is going through a period of change based on implementing forward thinking new technological products and by having Les at the head of our operations team we will be in an excellent position to manage the expectations of our customers going forward,” added Mark Howell.

Les Gillies joins MFS with a pedigree of operational experience including senior roles at large-scale, multi-sited Blue-Chip companies operating in the time-sensitive, temperature-controlled logistics arena, including Moy Park, Tulip, Grampian, 2 Sisters and Gist. Les is also a highly respected member of the TCS&D Awards judging panel.

Commenting on his new role at MFS, Les Gillies said “This is an exciting challenge for myself as I will be able to drive the nationwide MFS operational team forward by looking at our business activity through an operator’s eyes. This will enable me to fully understand our customers’ expectations and to provide MFS with the operational experience that will move the business forward. My personal work experience will ultimately allow me to work more closely with our customers to maximise their operational uptime and increase utilization.”

Les continues, “Having worked in time sensitive, fast-paced industries all my working life this will enable me to look at the MFS business from a different perspective and provide customers with exactly what they are looking for, which is vital in today’s competitive marketplace.”

Founded in 1972 and providing premium sales, service and parts support for the UK distribution industry, Marshall Fleet Solutions is the U.K.’s largest independent refrigeration (including installation), tail lift and commercial vehicle fleet service and support organisation. In 2022, the company will be celebrating its 50^th anniversary.

MFS is the longest established dealer of Thermo King equipment in the UK, as well as being main dealers for most manufacturers of tail lift sold in the UK. Currently employing over 200 engineers, together with a national call centre in operation 24hrs a day, 365 days a year, MFS offers unrivalled breakdown support, repair and routine maintenance for transport fleet operators across the UK.