Customer Advisor/Salesperson

Christian Øien appointed as MD of Europcar Mobility Group UK. Gary Smith, the previous managing director, has retired following 14 years at Europcar. 24th February 2026 Europcar Mobility Group UK and Ireland has appointed Christian Øien (pictured) as its managing director, with an aim to boost digital innovation and grow zero-tailpipe emissions solutions. Gary Smith, the previous managing director, has retired following 14 years at Europcar. Øien was previously managing director of the Nordic region and has significant experience in the logistics sector, prior to joining Europcar Mobility Group in 2018 as commercial director for Denmark. Europcar said his strong business background will be key to developing Europcar's role in the fleet, business travel, insurance and leisure travel markets. Smith and Øien will work together for the next two months to ensure a smooth handover. Øien said: "I am tremendously excited to be given the opportunity to lead the UK and Ireland business. "Gary Smith has created a strong team with a clear focus on the mobility needs of businesses and individuals and I am looking forward to building on his success to ensure Europcar continues to deliver solutions that are fit for purpose as the market evolves. "Business Vans know that businesses and individuals want to reduce their impact on the environment and vehicle rental, whether for a few days or long-term can help them achieve that goal. "I look forward to working with colleagues and clients to ensure that we remain the first choice for everyone's mobility needs." Smith joined Europcar in 2012 as UK finance director and became UK managing director in 2016. From 2024 on, he was managing director of the UK and Ireland, as well as managing director of the Nordics. Smith said: "It has been a great opportunity to lead the Europcar business in the UK and Ireland as well as the Nordics as the shape of mobility has evolved. "I feel very confident that the initiatives we have taken to create mobility solutions that are fit for purpose - including a significant commitment to electric motoring - give Christian and the team solid foundations to continue to build the business in the coming years."

Octopus Electroverse and Monta team up on EV fleet charging management. Through this agreement, Octopus Electroverse will incorporate Monta's platform, Monta Hub, into its operations. EV charging network Octopus Electroverse has collaborated with Monta to improve the management of fleet and workplace charging for businesses in the UK and Europe. Through this agreement, Octopus Electroverse will incorporate Monta's platform, Monta Hub, into its operations. This software is designed to streamline the management of EV chargers, handle payments, oversee user access and monitor energy use for fleets of various sizes. Monta Hub provides features such as reporting tools, consolidated billing and analytics. It includes functions for identifying equipment faults automatically and supports network reliability. Reporting and dashboard capabilities are intended to enhance oversight for fleet managers by offering greater transparency in both operations and finances. US tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate? Don't let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis. Monta CEO Casper Rasmussen said: "As businesses electrify their fleets, the need for a scalable and intelligent charging infrastructure is critical. "Working with Octopus affirms Monta's ability to support businesses of every size. It's a shared step towards a simpler, smarter and greener future." The platform also facilitates energy management by offering tariff adjustments, load balancing, and scheduling based on changing energy demands. Octopus Electroverse's 'one card, one app' model allows customers access to a network of 1.25 million chargers throughout Europe. The service includes additional features such as a route planner and Electroverse Plunge Pricing, which offers significant savings up to 45% when renewable energy supply is high. As a charge point management system (CPMS) partner, Monta will support Octopus in expanding its range of Octopus Fleet products. This includes the recently launched Business Payment Card for fleet drivers, which is intended to facilitate payment, tracking, and savings while on the move. In September 2025, Octopus Electroverse formed a partnership with Europcar Mobility Group UK to deliver dedicated charging solutions for EV rental customers.

Europcar has announced a €100m investment across its services as it launched three new locations in dublin, tipperary, and donegal.