AFTER 30 years in the leasing industry, you would have thought – yup, a ‘leasing lifer’.
But not for Andy.
After stints that included Inchcape Fleet Solutions, Venson Group and latterly Four Ways Vehicle Solutions, Andy has jumped ship, donned a (metaphorical) sheepskin coat, and gone to sell used cars.
But in a very hi-tech way.
Taking over from CD Auction Group founder Roger Woodward, Andy says it was time for a change in career direction.
“Having done leasing for 30 years it was a real opportunity,” Andy told me over lunch.
“The online presence of an auction company really appealed – are physical auctions really the way forward? – as well as the honesty of the descriptions and the quality of the photographs. You must describe cars accurately just as cars are shown on eBay. That way you build up trust.”
Having done leasing for 30 years it was a real opportunity
Andy believes that the auction company can really spread into the SME market.
“I think we have good traction with SMEs. We have the ability to give them a branded sale that the big auction houses can’t do. And we’re getting a good reception from SMEs already.
“If SMEs continue to sell their old company cars to a used car buyer that’s fine. But we can offer a £250-£400 uplift in the prices achieved. Over a 25 car fleet that’s a substantial sum.”