Dave Roberts

DAVE Roberts is leaving his role as Kubota UK managing director to become the new CEO of Hitachi Construction Machinery (UK) from April this year.

He will succeed John Jones, who is retiring after 28 years with the business.

Dave Roberts held various senior roles within Kubota UK over a 20-year period before moving to multi-depot John Deere dealer Farol Ltd as operations director. He returned to Kubota in 2012, and the following year became one of its first non-Japanese managing directors.

He said, “I’m really excited to be joining Hitachi. My new role will not only allow me to expand on my own experience, but also build on the incredible success that John and the experienced HCMUK team have enjoyed in the past.”

John Jones added, “David’s vast experience in the construction industry – and working for a Japanese organisation – will be a great asset to HCMUK. I am confident that he will continue to drive the growth of Hitachi’s business in the UK, and wish him and the company every future success.”

Makoto Yamazawa, president and CEO of Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) said, “John Jones’s role as CEO of HCMUK – and the former UK Hitachi dealer HM Plant – has been instrumental in expanding Hitachi’s share of this competitive market, and he is leaving the company in a strong position for the future.

“We are very grateful for John’s commitment to Hitachi and the success achieved in the UK market over the years, and would like to thank him most sincerely for his unwavering loyalty and dedication.”