Dr Andy Palmer (pictured) has stepped down as Vice Chair and CEO of Switch Mobility for personal reasons. He has been replaced as CEO by Mahesh Babu, while Dheeraj Hinduja has assumed the role of Executive Chairman.
A long-time senior automotive industry innovator who was the architect of the Nissan Leaf battery-electric car, Dr Palmer joined the previous Optare business as Non-Executive Chairman in 2020.
At the time that Optare transitioned into Switch Mobility in 2021, he took up his most recent dual role. At Switch’s creation Dr Palmer outlined his belief that it can become a leading global battery-electric bus and battery-electric truck player. That work has since seen major deals in India and the launch of the e1 battery-electric single-decker.
Mr Babu has been CEO, India for Switch Mobility since September 2021. Prior to that he was Managing Director and CEO of Mahindra Electric Mobility. His LinkedIn profile states that he also served an eight-year stint with Ashok Leyland in the 1990s.
Switch Mobility says Mr Babu was promoted to CEO immediately upon Dr Palmer’s decision to step down “to maintain continuity of strategy and execution of plans.”
Speaking about the changes at the OEM, Mr Hinduja says: “I would like to personally thank Andy Palmer for his vision and commitment since the inception of Switch. What we have achieved so far would not have been possible without his astute leadership.
“Mahesh has the track record of successfully growing the business in India and I am confident that under his leadership, we can achieve the same in the UK and Europe.”
Meanwhile, Switch has also appointed Richard Matthews as Head of Retail Sales. He joins from Mellor and works alongside fellow former Alexander Dennis man Martin Brailey, who was appointed President UK and Ireland and Business Development Director by Switch earlier in 2022.
