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Watch our 2013 Unsung Heroes video to see why recognising your staff is important to us.
RECEPTIONIST
Sylvia Goodings, the centre host at Steven Eagell, the Milton Keynes-based Toyota business, was the winner of the 2013 Motor Trader Unsung Hero Receptionist Award. Her approach provided a seamless service that connects all the site’s departments while delivering consistently high levels of customer satisfaction.
Sheraz Rashid, general manager at the dealership, had clear views on why she won the award. “The award reflects Sylvia’s hard work, commitment, dedication, professionalism and work ethic. She is always the first one in and looks at every small detail with the overall aim of providing complete customer satisfaction. She makes every customer welcome,” he said.
Highly commended in this category were job shares Jess Tassell and Katy Lee from Devonshire Motors, who were recognised for their outstanding levels of professionalism and commitment.
WORKSHOP TECHNICIAN
Mark Irish, a technician at Bridgwater Ford in Somerset, part of the Foray Motor Group, won the 2013 Motor Trader Unsung Hero Workshop Technician Award. His technical knowledge was impressive as was his willingness to understand customers by training as a relief service advisor; a factor commended by our judges.
Paul Allonby, CMA service manager with Foray Motor Group, was crystal clear on why Irish won the award: customer care and his positive can-do attitude “Mark Irish’s customer service is incredible. He always sets out to do his best for the customers and for us every step of the way. He cannot do too much. He deserves this award.”
Highly commended in this category was Martin Bridges, a technician at Volvo Cars London’s Volvo site in Bishop Stortford, who also excels in his approach to his work. He has been with the business for four years and delivers an “exceptional level of service and is a model of excellence”.
SERVICE ADVISOR
Jo Hill was the service advisor at Trowbridge Ford, operated by the Foray Motor Group in Wiltshire and became the overall winner of the 2013 Motor Trader Unsung Hero Service Advisor Award because of the way she has helped transform the business since its acquisition in 2011. The role of service advisor was a new one for the business but one that she has made her own.
Luke Mundy service manager with Trowbrige Ford nominated Jo Hill for the award. “Jo Hill is an unsung hero. That is how we look at her. It is her personality which she projects to all her customers that makes her special. The service advisor job is one of the hardest in the dealership and she excels at it. If I could put a Jo in every dealership it would be absolutely brilliant.”
Highly commended in this category was Janine Scholes, customer service advisor at Bolton Mercedes-Benz, operated by Marshall Motor Group.
HR MANAGER
Sue Reid, the group HR manager of Ridgeway, the Oxfordshire-based multi-franchise group, worked her way up through the business and now looks after the personnel needs of its 1,200 strong workforce.
“It was a real surprise winning this award because I knew there were a lot of nominations put forward. I am very proud to win this award. It’s wonderful,” said Sue who won the 2013 Motor Trader Unsung Hero HR Manager Award.
Simon McLaughlin, brand director with Ridgeway, was clear on why she was nominated for the award. “Sue is committed, professional and culturally aligned. She understands our business and does her job extremely professionally and she has also maintained her position as the go-to person when somebody has a problem.”