Mike Williams

Mike Williams has been appointed Managing Director of Harris Rentals, a new dedicated commercial vehicle rental division launched by Harris Group in September 2026. Williams is a 40-year truck rental industry veteran and former Dawson Group executive, bringing extensive experience to lead the creation and future development of this new operation serving the UK and Ireland markets.

Career history

• Managing Director, Harris Rentals (2026–present)
• Dawson Group (40-year tenure, most recently as executive)
• Hireco (rental operations)
• Avis (early career)
• Hertz (early career)

At Dawson Group, Williams helped develop its rental business from a small operation into a nationwide commercial vehicle and equipment rental business. Harris Group CEO Brian Patterson noted that "Mike's experience especially, will be invaluable as we develop the business over the coming months and years."

Williams is recognized for his deep expertise in commercial vehicle rental operations, fleet management, and scaling rental businesses. Harris Rentals will offer vehicles from Harris Group's complete portfolio, including MAXUS, HIGER, Isuzu and its newly-launched SINOTRUK premium-duty truck brand, focusing primarily on long-term rentals spanning several months and upwards across strategic UK and Ireland locations.

What Mike Williams could bring to Managing Director at Harris Rentals: Williams brings four decades of proven success scaling rental businesses from ground level—having transformed Dawson Group's rental operation into a nationwide diversified enterprise. His combination of early-career experience at major international rental operators (Hertz and Avis) with his extensive tenure building and managing complex multi-location rental networks positions him uniquely to establish Harris Rentals as a competitive force in the UK and Ireland market, particularly in leveraging OEM backing and modern vehicle offerings.