The First Line Group has announced that it has expanded its management board with the elevation of Kelvin Olds to the position of IT Director.

Commenting on the move First Line Group’s co-founder John Madden said, “We originally recruited Kelvin as our IT manager last September, but it very quickly became clear to us that his experience and ability could be a major asset to the business as a whole and he therefore deserved a place on the board.” He added, “We have always done things a little different at First Line, always driven of course by the expectations of our customers. So instead of a board predominantly filled with those with a sales and finance background, we have spread the net wider to include those with manufacturing and IT knowledge.”

Commenting on his appointment Kelvin added: “Although I don’t come from an automotive background it’s fair to say I’m quite a petrol head having competed in local rallying and racing back in New Zealand. I am therefore certainly looking forward to combining this passion with my IT skills and experience to ensure we continue to have a solid IT foundation that fully supports and complements the Group’s growth.”

Kelvin has a broad background in IT having previously worked with organisations such as AMT-Sybex and energy providers such as Centrica, EDF and RWE npower. Although born in New Zealand, Kelvin has been in the UK since 2005.