I originally joined the motor industry as a Business Manager and promotion to Sales Manager and GSM led to a role as GM where I thoroughly enjoyed the responsibility.
I then moved to Pendle (The Training Corporation) and had a great 3 years travelling the country teaching people sales process. I left to join a dealer group as Group Training Manager and combined that role with site responsibility for 2 franchised sites.
After two years I was head-hunted by ASA Insurance as a Training Manager for a brand new F&I product and subsequently became Sales Director. When the business was sold in 2002 I decided to start Profitlink Recruitment – and we haven't looked back since!
I have been working in the motor trade for in excess of 35 years and have enjoyed promotion through the ranks to Senior Manager status and ran a number of sites as General Manager.
I have successfully managed relocations and new start ups and have operated in large volume sites and smaller more niche franchises.
The highlights of my career have included winning awards and trips with manufacturers for achieving targets but probably being a National Dealer Council member gave me the most insight into dealer operations.
I was also delighted to be nominated as a finalist for the Motor Trade awards dinner – a first for the brand and the group because the effect it had on the business was remarkable.
My move to the recruitment industry was a surprise to me because I saw myself as a "motor trade man" but actually my 3½ years have been amongst the most enjoyable of my career because of the people I meet – clients and candidates!!
After developing and managing my own dealer group for 20 years, I exited the business to enable me to have more time to pursue my other interests. However the auto industry has a habit of getting into one's system, so after a period of time I found myself wanting to be involved in our great industry again.
I now work as an Associate with a few vehicle manufacturers and dealer groups on a consultancy basis. This enables me to work within the industry and give back some of my knowledge and experience.
Having known Rob for a number of years, and understanding the way the company operates, it was an easy decision to make to work with him and his team at Profitlink. Helping to find both the accomplished, and the new blood that is so important to developing our industry, is extremely satisfying. It's a great use of my experience in managing and developing people, and I like their method of getting "hands on" with the candidates. On many occasions as a dealership owner I was frustrated with recruiters who knew nothing about the candidate and were just a CV recycling service.
Profitlink is a great deal more than that!