micromobilitybiz Delivering news updates to the micromobility industry, focusing on e-bikes, e-scooters and green transport
Voi has appointed former Bird UK chief Richard Corbett to head up its UK, Ireland and Benelux operations.
Corbett was responsible for leading efforts to legalise e-scooters within the UK Government, and also launched the first legal e-scooter service in Britain back in 2018.
He will now be responsible for Voi’s push into the UK, hiring a UK team and working closely with local authorities in partnership with transport operators to set to up e-sharing in some of our busiest cities.
Fredrik Hjelm, CEO and co-founder of Voi Technology, said: “Out of this terrible pandemic, there is an opportunity to reinvent the way that we travel around cities so that we can cut congestion and pollution for good. Now more than ever, a collaborative approach to mobility is needed and we need to make sure that there are good non-polluting options available, that suit all abilities and pockets.
“There is a huge unmet demand for e-scooters in UK towns and cities and Voi will work closely with local authorities and other transport operators to provide new mobility choices.”
Corbett worked for US scooter operator Bird for almost two years, where he launched e-scooters on private land at Queen Elizabeth Park in East London.
Hjelm added: “Richard knows the transport sector inside out and is also a committed evangelist for e-scooters. We’re delighted to have him on board as he shares our values of building a company that can reshape cities in a way that benefits us all.”
Corbett said: “I’ve spent two years working with central Government, cities and with the public to show the benefits e-scooters can bring to help improve air quality and reduce congestion in our cities. It’s fantastic news for the UK that the Transport Secretary will commence trials here in June and it feels very natural for me to join Europe’s biggest e-scooter operator at this point.
“This is the right moment for Voi to launch in the UK, where we can help people return to work and normal life, in a way that remains safe and within the guidelines of social distancing.”
