MasterDrive has announced the promotion of two senior executives, Lauren Hawthorn and Nishani Chetty, to joint Managing Director roles. It signals a bold new chapter for the organisation as it looks ahead to growth and the continued evolution of its leadership in driver safety and training excellence.
Hawthorn steps into the position of Managing Director: Finance & Operations, while Chetty assumes the role of Managing Director: Commercial & Brand. The MasterDrive team looks forward to working with both as they settle into their new roles.
The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says that each brings a complementary blend of operational discipline and commercial energy ideal for MasterDrive. “This is particularly important as the organisation continues to grow in the ever-dynamic business environment of today.
“Both leaders have played significant roles in shaping MasterDrive’s trajectory. Their promotions are not merely recognition of past performance but represent a deliberate strategic decision to place the organisation’s two most critical growth pillars at the helm of the business,” says Herbert.
Hawthorn says the appointment to Managing Director of Finance and Operations is an opportunity to work at a more systemic level. “Stepping into this role presents an opportunity to shape the business more holistically. This is particularly in aligning operations and people with our long-term strategy.
“My focus over the coming year will be on building scalable internal structures, improving operational efficiency, and leveraging data to drive better decision-making. I aim to achieve this without sacrificing the agility that has defined MasterDrive’s culture,” says Hawthorn.
Chetty brings a hard-edged commercial focus to the partnership. “My mandate as Managing Director of Commercial and Brand is clear: position MasterDrive as the definitive authority in driver risk reduction and performance optimisation — where safety translates directly into measurable business results.
“Our flagship Hi-Performance programmes set the standard for advanced driver capability, while our one-of-a-kind EC Rollover Prevention Programme is a critical intervention for liquid bulk transporters, addressing one of the industry’s highest-cost, highest-risk exposures.”
Combined with our behavioural change programmes and powerful industry platforms — including the Fleet Safety Awards, Women with Drive and MasterTorque magazine — we go beyond training. “We reduce incidents, protect assets, and deliver tangible returns to the bottom line.
“MasterDrive is not a one-product business. It is a complete ecosystem for safer, smarter driving and fleet management. As such, over the next twelve months I aim to achieve deeper penetration into high-risk industries. This includes equipping the sales team to confidently sell the full product portfolio and further develop strategic partnerships from goodwill relationships into valuable commercial alliances,” says Chetty.
What makes the dual appointment particularly compelling is how the two leaders view their differences as an asset. Hawthorn brings structure, performance, and optimisation to the table, while Chetty is wired for relationships, revenue, and brand growth. Their differences complement each other and ensure the best outcomes for MasterDrive.
Together, they represent a leadership model built on shared vision: commercial drive anchored by operational rigour. As MasterDrive continues to grow, this appointment sends a clear message: the organisation is investing in leadership that can take it further and faster while building a lasting impact.
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