Tracy Gehlan has joined Hertz International as chief operations officer.

Reporting to Michel Taride, group president, Hertz International, Gehlan is based at the car rental company’s international headquarters near London, UK.

In this newly created position, Gehlan has assumed overall responsibility for delivering sustained growth, efficiency and “best in class” customer service across the company’s wholly owned operations in Europe and Asia Pacific.

Gehlan brings 23 years of operating expertise in a fast-moving retail environment from her leadership roles including Smashburger Master, Burger King Corporation and The Restaurant Group.

Previously, as managing director of Smashburger UK, Gehlan led the entry of the US Smashburger fast food hamburger chain into the UK market and developed the company’s plans to expand across Europe.

In her 11-year career with Burger King, Gehlan most recently served five years as chief operations officer, EMEA, where she optimised the business across the region’s franchised and wholly owned restaurants throughout 42 countries.

Taride said: “Tracy has an outstanding track record of operational excellence, team leadership, top talent development, and business management and growth.

“Her sincere passion for customers and employees along with her exceptional depth of operating expertise will be a tremendous asset to our company.”