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In 2023, dealers competed for seven awards. Competition was fierce in every category because the quality of submissions was so good. Nevertheless, as always, there have to be winners and here are those winners, the Class of 2023.
Customer Journey Award – Focus Motorstore
Focus Motorstore developed a really polished car journey for its customers. Its website was developed with the customer in mind, with all vehicles clearly photographed and described.
They used Quote and Propose finance calculators to help customers model their finance packages and see indicative monthly payments based on their credit profiles. They also allow customers to reserve vehicles online and carry out a free finance check.
Online, in addition to all the core information customers should expect, the Focus website lets customers get a quick valuation for their part-exchange and discloses clear information about finance commission. Another nice touch is the multiple ways customers can interact with them, including QR codes displayed on cars, enabling customers to click and see all the aforementioned information whilst looking at the car.
Community Impact Award – Car Finance 247
The 247 Group has a long, strong relationship with the Manchester Youth Zone (MYZ) charity based in Harpurhey, which is rated as one of the country’s most deprived neighbourhoods.
The prevailing cost-of-living crisis helped make an already bad situation worse, and young people in the area were being directly impacted. MYZ gives young people in this area somewhere to go, something to do, someone to talk to, and, in many instances, something warm to eat. MYZ’s work is a lifeline for the young people who access the services, ensuring that a child receives a hot meal every session and offering life skills sessions such as cooking and employability.
Throughout the year, the 247 Group donates time and money to MYZ and has committed over half a million pounds in funding over the forthcoming three years.
Partnership Award – MotoGB
The largest independent importer of two-wheelers, MotoGB operates 11 retail showrooms across the UK and works with a network of over 300 dealers. The business partnered with MotoNovo when it first entered the motorbike market.
MotoGB wholeheartedly bought into MotoNovo’s self-serve digital tool during the lockdown and never looked back, as it helped them sell more bikes. With relationships at all levels across the business, MotoNovo is an integral part of the MotoGB business. At the same time, MotoGB continues to challenge MotoNovo to keep improving. It is an ideal and mutually rewarding partnership.
Leadership Award – Dunecht Garage
Ian Gauld’s parents have run Dunecht Garage since 1993; he joined the dealership in 2003 at 19. Ian started with little industry knowledge, but over the last ten years, he has been in charge of day-to-day operations and displayed a vision of hard work and innovation.
He has not only grown the business to record volumes and profit but also introduced a compliant customer journey and implemented new initiatives to enhance the dealership’s profile in his wider network and the local area.
Ian’s parents have been overwhelmed by his leadership skills, his inventive ideas and hard work have been evidenced, and Ian has taken his business through challenging times to a new level of trust and success. He was officially promoted to Director in March 2020. While ultimately concentrating on his core business as a motor dealer, Ian has expanded the business in alternative areas, e.g. through additional income streams, marketing the business name and utilising the Dunecht brand to branch out into a variety of new avenues.
Dunecht Whiskey – buys and sells rare and expensive whisky. Dunecht Limousines – imported two limousines offering an experience for all occasions. Dunecht Diner – a food van on site within a dealership with a top chef offering quality takeaway food, attracting many locals who have to walk through the garage forecourt for lunch. He has also built a coffee shack for passing trade.
Diversity and Inclusion Award – Perrys Motor Sales
Darren Ardon, the managing director at Perrys, has been a member of the Automotive 30% Club since 2019 and has been a massive advocate for promoting more women in automotive. Darren has also inspired Perrys to launch its very own female ambassador project, which went live in 2022. Their objective is to show women that there are a wide range of career opportunities for them in the automotive sector, from technician, retail manager, service manager to branch manager and many other positions. Please see the link for more information, https://www.perrys.co.uk/blog/perrys-presents-female-ambassador-project/122292#
Sustainability Award – Bridgend Motor Group
In the preceding year, Bridgend took on 45 young people to permanent roles either with Kickstart or Training Academy. This was fantastic for the local community and showed that they are looking for young people to be the future of their business. Their strengths are not just being a long-established family business with staff willing to share their experience; they believe it’s much more than just a job. It’s a family atmosphere where they pass on work-based and life skills.
Bridgend is so passionate about attracting young people that it invested during the lockdown in building a purpose-made, self-contained Training Centre at its Kilwinning HQ. This centre has been so successful and well-used that it is now planning to do the same at its Ayr and Kilmarnock sites!
Their Training Academy covers all business sectors, from Mechanical, Spray Painting, Panel Beating, Vehicle Refinishing, and Car Sales. Administration, Marketing, Parts, Customer Service and many more. They also pass on Health & Safety, Employability Skills and Personal Development opportunities.
Broker Partner of the Year Award – Anglo Scottish Asset Finance
Anglo-Scottish Asset Finance exhibits the fundamentals of a great partner: Customer-centricity, transparency and collaboration. The business has been built on reputation, agility and supporting customers with expert guidance on electric vehicles suitable for clear air zone cities.
Charity and fundraising are key to this business’s culture and last year they raised £3,700 for the homeless charity ‘CEO Sleep out’ by spending the night sleeping outdoors to raise awareness and much needed funds. They are also heavily involved in raising money to support local charity ‘The Red Sky Foundation’, which raises vital funds for babies and children with heart problems. To raise funds ten members of the team took part in the Great North Run last year.
