Grainne van Berkum
CEO And Managing Director
Amsterdam
Summary
A Senior Automotive C Suite Leader with over 25 years of international cross-cultural experience, specializing in leasing and digital marketplaces for used car sales. Proven track record in developing successful used vehicle remarketing strategies, products, and digital solutions. Executive project sponsor for the carve out of the CarNext business unit from LeasePlan, gaining significant experience with Private Equity shareholders and investor relations. Adept at connecting the dots and simplifying ideas, passionate about empowering individuals and teams to achieve company goals through inclusive management style and strong work ethic. Operating at both strategic and tactical levels, with a keen ability to scale up young companies during periods of rapid growth.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
CEO & President
OPENLANE NV
11.2023 - Current
- Responsible for the performance of OPENLANE INC (NYSE:KAR) in Europe
- Oversees 6 European entities with management of 300+ FTE.
- Centralized service model implemented within first year to enhance operational efficiency.
- Spearheaded rebranding from Adesa EU to OPENLANE, elevating market presence.
- Achieved 23% EBITDA growth and 25% increase in volume within the first year.
- Enhanced eNPS and customer NPS by double digits, driving customer satisfaction.
COO and Managing Director
CarNext BV
06.2019 - 10.2023
- Built scale up business within LeasePlan group and successfully carved it out as a stand alone business with €400 million of independent funding.
- Leadership of 7 in country Managing Directors with full P&L responsibility and +/- 400 FTE
- Responsible for creation and delivery of individual country growth plans
- Defined the strategy and growth of used vehicle sourcing capability including financial business case, building strategic relationships to guarantee supply, team design and hiring, IT infrastructure and risk controls
- Management of the CarNext real estate footprint consisting of 22 delivery stores and 27 reconditioning centres & compounds
- Responsible for B2B sales across the CarNext group including new product roadmap, delivery and implementation.
- Full customer onboarding and management of an International Care Centre in Warsaw handling daily cross border sales
- Achieved triple digit retail sales growth in France in 2021
- Increased B2B cross border sales penetration by double digits over 3 years
- Improved B2B buyer NPS by 45 points from 2019 to 2021
- Other areas of responsibility include Global Procurement, Transport and Logistics, Vehicle Refurbishment and Operational Excellence
Business Development Director - Operations
LeasePlan Corporation NV
06.2005 - 06.2019
- Member of the Car Remarketing, Operations and Procurement global leadership team.
- Defined and implemented International used vehicle remarketing strategy in 32 markets
- Designed and led the build of a new global online remarketing auction platform across the entire LeasePlan Group
- Implemented CRM and full online customer journey for B2B buyers including all KYC procedures
- Created used vehicle quality standards across Europe
- Introduced Europes first Independently certified standard (T
- V Nord) for used vehicle inspections
- Developed a used vehicle pricing tool to support used vehicle pricing and market predictions
- Global management of data supply contracts and tooling for new vehicle specification and pricing data
Risk and Remarketing Manager
LeasePlan Ireland
11.1989 - 06.2005
- Responsible for used vehicle remarketing
- Negotiation of new vehicle supply strategy and procurement
- Residual value risk setting and review of entire fleet on portfolio
- Management of VIP contracts including Primark and Diageo
- Complete responsibility for the integration of the entire Diageo fleet from an inhouse model to full outsourced off balance sheet leasing service.
Education
Executive Leadership Progamme -
Cranfield University
Bedford, United Kingdom 01.2016 - 12.2016
Association of Certified Chartered Accountants -
Dublin Institute of Technology
01.1995 - 12.1998
Association of Accounting Technicians -
College of Commerce
Dublin, Ireland 01.1993 - 12.1995
Skills
- Automotive
- Business Strategy
- Mergers and integration
- Commercial Negotiation
Talent development
Operational excellence
Financial acumen
Corporate governance
Effective decision making
Digital transformation
Interests
Running
Family
Travel
Music
Reading
Timeline
CEO & President
OPENLANE NV
11.2023 - Current
COO and Managing Director
CarNext BV
06.2019 - 10.2023
Executive Leadership Progamme -
Cranfield University
01.2016 - 12.2016
Business Development Director - Operations
LeasePlan Corporation NV
06.2005 - 06.2019
Association of Certified Chartered Accountants -
Dublin Institute of Technology
01.1995 - 12.1998
Association of Accounting Technicians -
College of Commerce
01.1993 - 12.1995
Risk and Remarketing Manager
LeasePlan Ireland
11.1989 - 06.2005
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