The International Van of the Year Award jury (IVOTY) is pleased to announce the election of new members to the long established organisation that selects the most prestigious prizes in the light commercial vehicle industry.
Tero Lahtinen, Managing Editor, Ammattilehti will represent Finland following his election at a jury meeting held in Barcelona, Spain and also to joins the aligned International Pick-up Award (IPUA).
IPUA jury member and IVOTY associate member for South Africa Charleen Clarke has been inducted as fully voting member on the Van panel also. Ms. Clarke is Editor in Chief of Focus on Transport & Logistics, South Africa’s longest established and highly regarded magazine.
Tero, on receiving the news said that he appreciated the opportunity to put forward his name for selection and the confidence placed in his expertise.”I’m very grateful that the International Van of the Year and International Pick-Up of the Year juries recognise my long-standing experience with commercial vehicles and value my potential as an automotive journalist. I’d be honoured to join the jury, bringing both my experience and a practical, user-focused approach to the group,” Tero said.
He replaces Miika Tokee, who recently resigned upon leaving the industry.
Charleen has been reporting on the commercial vehicle industry for decades and is deeply passionate and committed to the sector, attending events in Europe on a regular basis. Ms. Clarke said that “it’s a tremendous honour to represent such a respected body and would strive to uphold the standards and integrity of the IVOTY & IPUA juries. I’m so pleased to be in the company of such a wonderful group of people that I greatly respect.”
On welcoming Tero and Charleen to both juries, Jarlath Sweeney, Chairman, IVOTY & IPUA stated that both the Finnish and South African markets are important and is pleased that the vacancy in Finland has been filled on Tero’s election. “We wish to extend a warm hand of welcome to both Tero and Charleen and know they will be able to contribute greatly to our organisation. We know Tero for many years, since the days of the Arctic Van Test in Finland, while Charleen represents a region of growing importance to the global van and pick-up sectors. We now have 26 members on the IVOTY jury, representing 25 countries in Europe and now one in South Africa,” he said.
