NTDA Names Ian Andrew As New CEO
- By TT News
- June 11, 2025
The National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) has named Ian Andrew as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Stefan Hay, who will step down in July after a transition period. With nearly two decades of experience in association leadership, Ian joins the NTDA from his most recent role as CEO of the Derby-based British Pest Control Association (BPCA).
Prior to leading BPCA, Ian served as Governance and Partnerships Director at the Beech Centre in East Yorkshire, where he played a pivotal role in securing government approval to establish the new Institute for Organisational Development. His career also includes significant positions at the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), where he held roles such as Head of Membership Engagement, Head of Business Development and CMI’s Manager for Scotland. Additionally, he has held senior positions at the Scottish Qualifications Authority and the Hotel and Catering Industry Training Board.
Ian brings a wealth of expertise in membership organizations, business development, training, qualifications, and governance. He will officially assume his role at the NTDA in June, where his experience is expected to drive strategic growth and strengthen stakeholder relationships. Ian has a Bachelor of Divinity from Edinburgh University, a postgraduate degree in hotel administration and an MA in history and international relations from Aberdeen University. Among his accomplishments are his certification as a management consultant and performance coach. Throughout his career, Ian has been a steadfast supporter of improving professional standards and has a wealth of lobbying and high-level representation experience with Westminster and the devolved administrations.
Martin O’Brien, NTDA National Chairman, said, “We are delighted to welcome Ian as CEO. He joins us with the NTDA in its strongest position for many years, with a healthy, engaged membership and a reputation for proactive leadership on the key issues facing the UK tyre trade. We are looking forward to working with him to maintain and grow our influence in the industry and beyond.”
Ian said,“I am delighted to be joining NTDA at such an exciting time. Stefan Hay moved the association on considerably during his time leading it. My intention is to work closely with members and key partners to ensure that, as a sector, we continue to develop confidence and trust in NTDA members for the professional management of tyres, ensuring we develop better qualified tyre technicians and promote their expertise alongside the highest levels of motorist and tyre safety.”
Continental Appoints Managers For Global Purchasing And Original Equipment Business
- By TT News
- October 07, 2025
Continental's Tires group sector has strengthened its leadership team with two key internal appointments, effective 1 September 2025. Jana Striezel has been named the new head of global purchasing for Continental Tires, while Dennis Bellmund has assumed leadership of the global original equipment business for both passenger and commercial vehicles. Both executives will report directly to Christian Kötz, the member of Continental AG's Executive Board who leads the Tires group sector.
In her new capacity, Striezel will oversee worldwide strategic and operational purchasing. She brings extensive experience from the automotive industry, having previously held several procurement management roles at Renault, where she led purchasing for the Renault brand and its alliance with Nissan and Mitsubishi in Europe. Her career began at Volkswagen in 2014.
Bellmund, who has a 25-year tenure with Continental, steps into his role following the departure of his predecessor, Manja Greimeier, to the ContiTech sector. His extensive background within the company includes recent responsibility for Continental’s tyre retail operations, alongside prior leadership roles in EMEA supply chain management and sales direction for the European replacement tyre business. These appointments signal a strategic reinforcement of Continental's tyre division leadership.
Kötz said, “We’re delighted to welcome Jana Striezel, a highly skilled manager, to our team. She brings extensive expertise in international procurement and will focus on driving forward our purchasing strategy. In Dennis Bellmund, our global original equipment business has gained a highly experienced leader. Thanks to his many years at Continental, he is familiar with our company and our customers’ needs from many different angles. On behalf of the entire management team, I wish both of them every success in their new roles and look forward to working together.”
“On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank Manja Greimeier for her successful leadership of our original equipment business and wish her all the best and continued success,” added Kötz.
In a significant leadership update, LD Carbon (LDC) has announced a restructuring of the chief executive office at the company. The company confirmed that Seong-Moon Baek will now serve as the sole CEO. This move follows the departure of former co-CEO Yong-Kyung Hwang from the executive position.
The change is effective immediately as the company continues to advance its initiatives in the sustainable materials sector. Chief Commercial Officer Bumseek Kim (BK) formally communicated the development in a statement, saying, “Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.”
Jo Dennis Named MD At WF Recycle-Tech
- By TT News
- October 07, 2025
WF Recycle-Tech has announced a significant leadership transition with Jo Dennis assuming the role of Managing Director, succeeding Founder Paul Neville.
Dennis brings extensive experience in manufacturing and tyre pyrolysis, with a proven track record in guiding businesses through scale-up, growth and operational improvement phases. His leadership will be instrumental as the company advances its patented pyrolysis technology, which converts end-of-life tyres into valuable products like oil, syngas and recovered carbon black. Shareholders Farrel Pomini and HF GROUP endorse this technology and support its full-scale commercialisation and global deployment.
The company expressed gratitude to Neville for his foundational decade of service and for developing the core patented technology. He will continue to contribute to the growing team in a consulting capacity, focusing on new business opportunities.
The company statement read: “We would like to thank Paul for his many years of commitment and service as Founder and Managing Director over the last decade, and also congratulate him for his achievements in developing the patented technology upon which WFRT will now build its business. We are also pleased to retain Paul in our growing team in a consulting capacity to support and develop new business opportunities.”
VIPO a.s., a Slovakian manufacturer of bead winding and apexing machinery for tyre production, has established a wholly owned subsidiary in India to capitalise on growing demand in one of the world's largest automotive markets.
VIPO INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED commences operations on 1 October from New Delhi, providing technical support, spare parts production, and customer service to tyre manufacturers across the country, the Partizánske-based company said in a statement.
The move represents a significant expansion for the mid-sized engineering firm, which supplies automation equipment to tyre makers globally. India's tyre industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, driven by robust vehicle sales and infrastructure development.
"The launch of VIPO INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED is a milestone in our global expansion," said Peter Duchovic, chief executive of VIPO a.s. "India represents not only one of the fastest-growing tyre and automotive markets but also a hub of innovation."
The subsidiary will offer locally produced components for high-wear parts and provide digital services including artificial intelligence-driven condition monitoring and augmented reality-based training programmes, the company said.
VIPO specialises in bead winding lines - equipment used to produce the steel wire bundles that anchor tyres to wheel rims. The company stated that its systems incorporate robotics and automation to reduce energy consumption and enhance production efficiency.
"With our New Delhi subsidiary, we will be closer to our customers — listening carefully to their requirements and integrating their needs into the development of new devices and services," Duchovic said.
The firm has committed to the Science Based Targets initiative, a framework for corporate emissions reductions aligned with climate science, according to the statement.
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