NETSOL Technologies, a global business services and enterprise application solutions provider, has announced the appointment of Richard Howard, a distinguished automotive executive with an extensive leadership track record at Daimler Financial Services, to its Advisory Board.
While Howard joins NETSOL in the capacity of an Advisory Board Member, his involvement will go far beyond a traditional advisory role. He will play an active part in shaping the corporate strategy, with a particular emphasis on accelerating growth in North America - one of NETSOL’s focus markets. NETSOL expects that Howard's insights will support the company in forging deeper OEM, dealership and captive partnerships, expanding market share and unlocking new opportunities for its Transcend Finance and Transcend Retail platforms, as the company continues towards its goal to lead the digital transformation of automotive finance and leasing and digital auto retail worldwide.
As NETSOL continues its trajectory of global expansion and product innovation, the appointment of this seasoned executive signals a strategic move to elevate the company’s sales and marketing capabilities. Howard will work closely with NETSOL’s executive leadership to refine and energize the company’s global sales strategy, enhance product-market alignment and strengthen brand visibility. His proven ability to scale global teams and drive revenue across mature and emerging markets will be instrumental in sharpening NETSOL’s commercial focus and accelerating business development. Howard brings a deep understanding of customer-centric growth, brand positioning and enterprise sales excellence.
From 2021 to 2024, he served as President and CEO of Daimler Truck Financial Services USA, where he also held a seat on the Global Board of Management, overseeing operations across North America and Asia. In this role, he was instrumental in establishing and scaling Daimler Truck’s financial services arm post-spin-off, driving strategic growth, operational excellence and market expansion in two of the company’s most critical regions.
Prior to that, he spent seven years as Senior Vice President of Sales, Product Strategy and Marketing at Daimler Truck North America, where he held global responsibility for the Freightliner Truck brand – the flagship of Daimler’s commercial vehicle portfolio. Leading a team of 900 people and overseeing revenues exceeding $20 billion, he transformed the brand’s go-to-market strategy and product roadmap across multiple continents. Earlier in his career, he served as President and CEO of Daimler Financial Services Asia based in Singapore and as Vice President at Daimler Financial Services Americas, where he led operations in both the United States and Latin America, driving sustainable growth and profitability across diverse markets.
“Richard brings a level of caliber and executive stature that we value immensely,” said Najeeb Ghauri, Founder and CEO of NETSOL Technologies. “His leadership experience and strategic mindset make him an exceptional addition to our Advisory Board as we navigate the next phase of growth. His unparalleled experience in global automotive finance and deep understanding of OEM and captive finance ecosystems align perfectly with NETSOL’s vision for the future.”
“Richard and I began our journey decades ago at Mercedes-Benz Finance UK. Over the years, we have developed a great working relationship that has paid huge dividends to our respective organizations, as I look forward now to build upon that mutual trust and many successes,” added Naeem Ghauri, Co-Founder and President of NETSOL Technologies. “As we continue expanding our footprint across key markets and revolutionizing the auto finance and digital auto retail landscapes, his insights will be invaluable in helping us sharpen our strategy, deepen OEM partnerships and accelerate innovation across our platform offerings.”
“I’ve long admired NETSOL’s deep industry expertise, innovative spirit and its commitment to excellence in delivering world-class technology solutions,” said Howard. “The company’s leadership in digital transformation for automotive finance – especially its stronghold in APAC and growing momentum globally – is incredibly impressive. I look forward to contributing to NETSOL’s continued success as it empowers the world’s leading auto captives and financial institutions with smarter, more agile technology.”
Howard’s appointment is effective June 1, 2025.