Mike Nigro to head Enterprise’s European operations
Enterprise Holdings, the world’s largest vehicle rental business, has announced that Mike Nigro has been appointed as senior vice president of European operations.
He previously served as managing director UK and Ireland for the past six years and will be taking over from Jim Burrell, who is retiring from the company.
The company, which operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands, has a promote-from-within culture and this appointment further demonstrates how it creates opportunities for employees. People who start as trainees can reach the very highest levels of management.
Mike joined the company nearly 31 years ago as a graduate on the Management Trainee Programme in Southern California. He progressed through the rental ranks in the US and in 2006 accepted a promotion to general manager of South East England. He was subsequently promoted to corporate vice president and then senior vice president of UK and Ireland operations (managing director).
During Mike’s time in charge of UK and Ireland operations, Enterprise has become those countries’ leading provider of mobility solutions. In the last year, Enterprise has acquired the Burnt Tree commercial vehicle rental and City Car Club car sharing businesses, grown its fleet to more than 80,000 vehicles, and now has in excess of 400 branches in the UK and Ireland.
Mike will be taking over Enterprise’s European operations from Jim Burrell, who will retire from the business in July. Jim, who has also been with Enterprise for more than 30 years, came to run Enterprise’s UK operations in 1997 when the business had only a handful of branches. He subsequently oversaw its expansion throughout the UK and into other European markets such as Ireland, Germany, France and Spain, as well as further afield.
Under Jim’s leadership, Enterprise’s European presence has grown to some 7,500 employees and a fleet of 170,000 vehicles across 32 countries, covering more than 90 per cent of the continent’s rental market.
Mike will take the helm at a very important period for the business in Europe. In December 2014, Enterprise Holdings terminated a Master License Agreement that Europcar held to operate the National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands in Europe. He will play a key role in determining how those brands are rolled out across the continent to serve the needs of specific rental customers.
Pam Nicholson, president and chief executive officer of Enterprise Holdings, commented, ‘Jim Burrell’s retirement is undoubtedly a loss for Enterprise, as he was one of the pioneers that helped build our European operations into the highly successful business that it is today. I’ve known and worked with Jim for most of his years at Enterprise and have witnessed first-hand the positive impact he has had on our business and on the careers of many hundreds of employees at all levels.
‘Over the course of his career, Jim and his teams have been awarded numerous internal corporate awards and many of his employees have gone on to senior level positions within the company. He will be greatly missed both as a valued colleague and friend. We offer him all the very best wishes for the future.’
‘Mike has a proven track record of growing the Enterprise business in both the US and UK, while retaining the focus on exceptional customer service that defines our company. He’s done a remarkable job of leading and developing our UK operations and he’ll now bring that same expertise and experience to the broader European market,’ added Pam.
Mike Nigro commented, ‘Jim Burrell leaves some very big shoes to fill, but it’s an incredibly exciting opportunity. Enterprise has grown massively across Europe in recent years and there is scope for further expansion as we look to develop our business. We will continue to offer exceptional service to our customers and make Enterprise a great place to work.
‘We want corporate and personal renters, both within Europe and coming in from overseas, to know that we aim to provide them with the very best rental experience.’
Enterprise is currently recruiting internally to replace Mike Nigro as head of UK & Ireland operations.
