Matt Hanson has been appointed Head of Coach Hire Comparison (CHC) by CMAC Group. It follows CMAC’s purchase of a controlling share in CHC earlier in 2023. Mr Hanson will work with CHC founders James and Laura Stokes on a five-year business plan to ensure smooth integration while building on existing success.
In addition, the new leadership team has been tasked “with accelerating CHC’s growth in the UK and using the coach hire business to support CMAC Group’s international expansion,” the owner says in a statement.
Mr Hanson has over 15 years’ experience in ground transport and logistics. Most recently, he led CMAC’s procurement and supply business.
He joined the group in 2021 from Arriva Road Transport Services, having latterly held the role of Head of Compliance and Safety there. Mr Hanson previously led product development at coachhire.com and provided consultancy services to National Express and the 2021 G7 summit.
Speaking about his new position, Mr Hanson says: “It is a privilege to work with such a committed and expert team on this exciting project.
“Since it helped to introduce the concept of a quote comparison platform to the coach and bus hire sector in 2010, CHC has maintained its market leadership position by ensuring that the platform continues to deliver an unrivalled user experience that meets both customer and suppler needs.”
He adds that such an approach “is not going to change,” noting: “We are already hard at work on a number of development projects that will improve functionality and ease of use, at the same time as delivering targeted benefits, such as increased retention for suppliers and a quantifiably better experience for customers.”
CMAC says that since amalgamating CHC into its supply chain, the group now has more than 500 active operators across the UK capable of providing customers with details of comparable solutions. Purpose-built technology is utilised by CHC, with over 12,000 website users per month.
Speaking about the addition to CHC’s leadership, Mr Stokes says: “We are delighted to be working with Matt on the next stage of CHC’s development. He not only brings a broad range of expertise to the team, but shares our vision for CHC’s future as part of CMAC Group.”
