Lookers CEO wins 'CEO of the Year' 2016

RNS Number : 3336E

Lookers PLC

15 July 2016

 

JULY 2016

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Lookers CEO recognised for strategic vision at Prestigious Awards

Andy Bruce, Chief Executive of motor retailer Lookers, has been heralded as an industry leader after winning CEO of the Year at the industry's most prestigious awards.

The Scot received the title at the 2016 Motor Trader Awards in recognition of his innovative and strategic vision, which has seen Lookers consistently grow over the last 7 years into a business with a £3.65bn turnover and one which sees its customers drive away over 180,000 new and used vehicles each year from over 160 dealerships across the country.

Andy has been at the helm at Manchester headquartered Lookers since 2014 and has overseen a number of significant milestones, including the £87.5m acquisition of North East motor retailer Benfield last year.

Avid Glasgow Rangers fan Andy began his career in the motor industry in 1986 as a graduate trainee at Land Rover before advancing to a number of dealer facing roles and eventually becoming Sales Director for Land Rover in the UK. He joined Lookers in 2000 to run the Northern Ireland side of the business before becoming Managing Director of the Motor Division in 2010, Chief Operating Officer in 2013 and CEO in 2014.

Recent years have seen Lookers grow through acquisition, significant investment in new facilities and the introduction of the latest industry technology as it looks to become the retailer of choice for motorists in the UK.

It is this continued success that saw Lookers become the only winner of two Motor Trader Awards on the night, with the company also taking home the 2016 Dealer Group of the Year Award.

This award recognises the motor dealer who has been most successful in growing sales and profitability in four or more sites during the past year. The award marks back-to-back wins for the enlarged Lookers group, Benfield Motor Group winning the same award in 2015 before it was acquired by Lookers, illustrating how successful the integration of the business has been.

Andy said: "I am really proud and a little overwhelmed to be awarded CEO of the Year. My management style has always been about empowerment and encouragement and to have this acknowledged is something I am immensely proud of. To win this on the same night that Lookers became Dealer Group of the Year makes it doubly special.

"Of course these awards would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the amazing people we have here at Lookers. From our call centre people right through to our dealership technicians, everyone should be proud of the contribution they have made to these awards. As a result of all our hard work we are quickly becoming the go-to retailer for a significant proportion of UK motorists."

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CONTACT:

For more information, imagery or interview requests, please contact Lookers:

Ian Dinning                           [e-mail]          07917803970

NOTES TO EDITOR:

·      Andy Bruce, Lookers CEO, won 'CEO of the Year' at the prestigious Motor Trader of the Year 2016

·      Lookers won 'Dealer Group of the Year Award' at Motor Trader of the Year 2016, this followed the 2015 win by Benfield Motor Group that won in 2015

·      Lookers is the new name of Benfield Motor Group

·      Lookers group annual turnover in 2015 was £3.6bn

·      Lookers sold almost 180,000 new and used cars and vans

·      The motor division consists of 153 franchised dealerships

·      31 marques are represented and support by Lookers

·      Lookers employ almost 8,500 people across the group

·      Lookers Executive Directors include Andy Bruce (Chief Executive), Robin Gregson (Finance Director), Nigel McMinn (Managing Director - Motor Division) and Neil Davis (Managing Director - Parts Divison)

·      The combined turnover of the Motor Trader Top 200 was £56.4bn, an increase of £4bn over the previous year.

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