First Stop’s proactive and dedicated team of retail business consultants have been rewarded with internal promotions, after playing pivotal roles in the continued expansion of the network.
Shaun Sweeney and Nick Salt, with more than 10 years of collective First Stop experience, have been promoted to National Franchise Manager UK & Ireland and UK Territory Manager respectively.
Meanwhile, Damian Cleaver has been appointed as Business Development Manager for Wales and the South West, having previously worked as Area Manager at ETB Autocentres.
First Stop has already attracted 11 new franchise partners during the first two months of the year through its refreshed approach, which is geared around the individual needs of each dealer. It features access to a unique tyre comparison site, the Autoprocure platform, which is a one-stop-shop for all tyres.
Its new Advantage Package – alongside existing full packages incorporating signage, training, health and safety – taps into superior rates with a host of premium suppliers across tyres, parts and other services where lucrative incentives are put in place. It is totally free for garages to join.
Shaun said that while the economic landscape was presenting challenges across the automotive industry, there were reasons to be excited, with a number of recent successes to report.
“Our new proposition has really resonated with independent garages and it has been a big success. We’re welcoming a number of new dealers to the network, with a tailored package of support that is adding real value to their businesses.
“From e-commerce support to a seamless purchasing experience of some of the most premium products in the aftermarket, we are meeting our partners’ needs in a variety of ways.”
Nick Salt has been promoted to the role of UK Territory Manager and he echoed Shaun’s sentiments with a similarly positive outlook for the future.
“Our Advantage Package has gained real traction because it is designed to meet the requirements of individual businesses and its range of services are striking a chord with new and existing partners.
“We’re providing real value and our customers are benefiting in a variety of ways. The first two months of the year are often associated with being a quieter time across the industry, but we are seeing a lot of interest in the network right now, which is testament to our offering and the great team we have in place.”
Damian Cleaver has taken up the role of Business Development Manager for Wales and the South West, bringing 25 years of automotive retail experience to his position. Having worked as an Area Manager at ETB Autocentres, and running his own depot before that, he already boasts an intuitive understanding of partners’ requirements.
“It’s been a great start at First Stop and I’m fortunate to be working with a fantastic company with a compelling retail proposition. I understand the many challenges and opportunities that a dealer partner faces on a daily basis and in simple terms, I’m here to help them.
“The mood within the network is very positive right now. I’m engaging with our parts suppliers to ensure our dealers are getting a swift service and I’ll be visiting each depot personally to strengthen relationships and understand their unique requirements.”
