DAF Trucks has restructured its senior leadership team in the UK & Ireland, with the appointment of Nigel Beckett as Managing Director. Nigel succeeds David Kiss, who moves to the position of European Sales Director, with responsibility for multiple countries and based in Eindhoven. 

Nigel joined DAF Trucks in 2005 and, since then, has gained extensive experience across all areas of the business. Over the past 20 years, time spent in the service, sales and parts functions has given him a broad and in-depth understanding across the DAF Trucks business, in preparation for this new role. Most recently, Nigel was Director, Service & Engineering for the United Kingdom and Ireland – a position he assumed in August 2024. Nigel’s knowledge and passion for the DAF brand have earned the respect of DAF’s customers and dealers.

“I’m delighted to step into the role of Managing Director, DAF United Kingdom & Ireland and I very much look forward to what the future holds for the brand and the truck industry as a whole,” commented Nigel. “The coming years promise lots of change and, whilst there will undoubtedly be challenges, there will also be fantastic opportunities for DAF to support its customers and drivers with the best products and services possible. With the strength in depth of our product range and our fantastic Dealer Network, we are perfectly positioned to demonstrate to the industry why DAF is the number one truck brand in the UK."

In his new role, David Kiss will be responsible for all sales and aftersales activities in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Turkey, Italy, Spain and Portugal, Austria and Switzerland, and Hungary.

In a further key announcement, James Stewart has been promoted to Truck Sales Director, UK & Ireland. He succeeds Russell Patmore who was recently appointed Director of Marketing at the DAF headquarters in Eindhoven, with responsibility for the DAF brand globally.

James’ career with DAF Trucks began in 2009 as an intern during his Business Studies degree. After graduating, he rejoined the company full-time in 2011 as Commercial Services Analyst. Since then, he has advanced through a series of key leadership positions with increasing responsibility, including Fleet Sales Manager, Fleet Sales Director, and, most recently, Marketing & Strategic Initiatives Director since 2024.