- With Photo

LONDON, Sept. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Castrol innoVentures, Castrol's innovation business group, has appointed Angel Gambino as general manager of Smart Mobility. In this new role, Gambino will lead a team focused on new initiatives and venture opportunities across a number of areas considered critical to the evolution of consumer automotive, the future of transportation and digital car care.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130930/NY88664)

In this global role, Gambino will focus on developing the possibilities for smarter mobility from big ideas to transformational businesses impacting the vehicles we drive and our experience as drivers, passengers and road users.  Castrol innoVentures Smart Mobility encompasses technologies and capabilities in the following areas:

• Connected Car & Driverless Car
• Vehicle Telematics
• Vehicle OnBoard Diagnostics
• Workshop & Dealership systems
• Car Care and maintenance support
• Smart Phone Application development
• Mobility Services
• Predictive Analytics
• Urban Mobility.

Gambino, a native of The "Motor City" Detroit, will be responsible for driving the vision of Castrol innoVentures in the Smart Mobility space including partnerships, venture investment and product development in key global markets.

The Castrol innoVentures group is a separate unit of Castrol Lubricants which focuses on "step-out" innovation and new business development beyond lubricants. Their objective is to develop material businesses beyond today's lubricants offer by a combination of Venture investment and partnerships and internal innovation. The group makes strategic investments in technology start-ups and also runs a broader program of open innovation across a number of sectors

Commenting on her appointment, Gambino said, "Throughout my career, I've always been driven to look at things differently and challenge the status quo. With a background in investment ventures and as an active entrepreneur, I recognize the massive opportunity that exists in the automotive space to help shape and realize a vision for the future. I am thrilled to join Castrol innoVentures to help transform the way we move today and in the future."

As a serial entrepreneur and expert in driving innovation, Gambino has a track record of working with consumer-facing companies to create new and engaging experiences. Most recently, she held the role of senior vice president of digital innovation at Westfield Shoppingtowns where she was responsible for all of Westfield's digital consumer engagement throughout the London 2012 Olympics.

Prior to this, Gambino held a number of commercial leadership, strategy and digital roles for organisations such as the BBC, MTV and Bebo. Of note, her highlighted work includes developing and launching the BBC's digital and on-demand channels, including iPlayer; overseeing MTV Network's commercial and corporate strategy departments including business diversification into digital; and playing a critical role in developing business for Bebo, prior to its commercial acquisition. Gambino has a strong background as a founder and co-founder for a variety of start-ups in the U.K., U.S., Latin America and Europe.

"Smart Mobility is a key area for innovation for us and we are looking to build a meaningful presence in this space over the next few years. We're delighted to have Angel on board paving the path to this new future of exciting growth opportunity," said Roy Williamson, Director of Castrol innoVentures.

To learn more about Castrol innoVentures, please visit: http://castrolinnoventures.com/.

Contact information:
Lauren O'Leary
Ogilvy Public Relations
+1-212-880-5295
Lauren.o'leary@ogilvy.com

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SOURCE Castrol innoVentures