He takes over from Jean-Marc Gales, who ran Wrightbus for two-and-a-half years. The business was bought out of administration by Jo Bamford in 2019 and has grown from 43 employees to 2,300.
Axel, who has worked across the globe including time spent in Europe, Korea and Asia, said he was honoured to take the helm and said the business was laying strong foundations for the challenges ahead.
More jobs are expected to be created across the company’s operations in Ballymena and Malaysia, while a key priority will be to improve reliability by building resilience in the supply chain and expanding its after-sales service.
Wrightbus created the world’s first hydrogen double decker and also makes class-leading electric and diesel buses, as well as offering Europe’s largest repowering facility – NewPower – in Oxfordshire, alongside a thriving refurbishment business.
“I am delighted to be taking over at Wrightbus and I have been given an extremely warm welcome – from owner Jo Bamford through to the people I have met on the shop floor,” Axel explained.
“The Wrightbus of today is very different from the one that launched in 1946, but we must hold onto those traditional values where we treat our employees like family and our customers like royalty.
“Every post I’ve held has focused on the customer, putting them at the centre of everything we do, and I will continue this theme at Wrightbus.”
Axel, 59, said concentrating on the fundamentals would help Wrightbus grow its market share around the world.
“We offer so much alongside the actual bus itself,” he explained. “Being part of the HydraB Group gives us access to a whole portfolio of companies offering everything from depot infrastructure and charging to service and maintenance.
“I firmly believe we have the right people, the right skills and the right facilities to develop this historic company and put it on the world stage. Offering a complete solution really helps us stand out in the market.”
Married with three children at universities in London and Oxford, Axel is fluent in German, French and English.