New CEO for Sunbelt as Cliff Miller goes

Ashtead Group in the UK has named Joseph Phelan, as president and chief executive officer of its US subsidiary, Sunbelt Rentals, effective mid-April. Mr Phelan will also become an executive director on Ashtead's board.

Mr Phelan, a US citizen, succeeds current CEO, Cliff Miller, who is departing the company after 13 years with the group. Mr Miller ended his roles as director of Ashtead and of Sunbelt on 6 April 2009.

Mr Phelan joins Ashtead from Deutsche Post DHL where he has been CEO of DHL Global Mail, based in Weston, Florida. He was also a member of the Deutsche Post executive committee. Mr Phelan held a number of senior executive positions with American Airlines before joining DHL in 2004.

Geoff Drabble, chief executive of Ashtead Group, said, "We are delighted to welcome Joe, who has a wealth of experience in logistics and change management and in running large, multi-location businesses. We anticipate that Joe will be instrumental in helping us take Sunbelt onto the next stage in its development.

"We also thank Cliff Miller for his efforts in helping us develop Sunbelt from the small regional rental business it was when he joined it in 1996 to the large nationwide rental company it is today."