Business transport specialist Kura has announced the appointment of Luke Garcia as head of corporate sales to help manage its growing list of clients in the corporate sector.
In his new role, Luke will be responsible for securing new business and more long-term contracts for corporate shuttle services, specifically among organisations targeting ‘blue collar’ workers in key industry sectors and Kura’s existing customer base.
Luke joins Kura from London based Taxi and Courier company, Addison Lee, where he spent five years working with commercial clients across the UK, other parts of Europe, the US and Asia. He has a strong background in sales across the travel, logistics and supply chain industries, having worked with a wide range of businesses from SMEs to large corporates.
As head of corporate sales at Kura, Luke will help businesses looking to capitalise on the benefits of coach and minibus transport. According to a recent CIPD survey, average costs for non-managerial positions are up 50% year on year – an additional £500 for every new staff member recruited versus 2021. Increasingly, businesses are viewing shared transport as a way to speed up the recruitment process by growing the candidate catchment area and capturing those who do not drive or who are poorly served by public transport.
Commenting on his appointment, Luke said: “The head of sales role was a highly appealing opportunity and the perfect next challenge. Kura is a fresh, yet experienced, business with a strong concept and ethos, and I look forward to working with the talented team to deliver against the goals that have been set for us”.
“Now is an exciting time in the corporate shuttle market, with sustainability targets and employer brands needing to stand-out driving a healthy appetite across many sectors. Providing transport for employees that are unable to drive or run their own vehicles, or cannot afford or access public transport, can be a crucial competitive differentiator in recruitment and staff retention. The value Kura brings with its customer relationships and extensive network coverage makes it an attractive partner for any organisation considering offering this sort of support for their workforce.”
Godfrey Ryan, CEO of Kura, said: “Luke’s appointment comes at an exciting time for both the business and the corporate shuttle market, as organisations ramp up the support and duty of care they provide to employees in a bid to make roles more attractive. The experience and direction Luke brings to the team is invaluable and we’re delighted to have him on-board for the next stage of our growth journey.”