Craig Gentleman

Experience

• 

  Henleys

  May 1987 - May 1992

  Regional Accountant

  Regional Controller for various regional offices and brands. Responsible for ensuring financial accuracy and improving site performances. Part of the 'fixer' team that was asked to assess financial standing of 'problem' sites and report to plc board.

• 

  Schroder Ventures

  Jun 1992 - May 1997

  Regional Controller

  Controller for large retail Motor parc covering 6 franchises and a turnover of over £65m. Had responsibility for managing staff of 16 and my area of control covered finance, IT, HR and PLC reporting. Responsible for implementing BS5750 accreditation for 2 sites , documenting all processes.

• 

  Saab Great Britain Ltd

  Oct 1997 - Jun 2004

  Regional Manager in charge of all manufacturer relationships for Saab GB within a region of circa 20 dealerships.Responsible for all sales and aftersales results., managed launch of new models. Responsible for regional achievement of parts and accessory targets. Targeted with CSI improvement. Responsible for all Profit and loss issues for Saab GB dealers. Creating business plans, managing composite process etc. Acted as consultant for dealer network on profit and efficiency improvement.

  • Regional Manager

    Jun 1999 - Jun 2004

  • National Business Management Manager

    Oct 1997 - Jun 1999
• 

  Saab Great Britain

  Jul 2004 - Feb 2012

  National Sales Manager

  National manager of retail sales of new and used cars. Also covered all used remarketing activity. Managing field team of 6 Business Development Managers and used car re marketing team. Manager of tactical team creating all new and used retailer campaigns. Achievement of Saab GB's new and used target achievement. Responsibility for stock management and sales process development.

• 

  Vauxhall Motors Ltd

  Feb 2012 - Jan 2023

  Responsible for working with the Heads of Sales that manage the 3 Areas for Vauxhall. Also working within head office on all New car elements. Ensuring that Group forecasts and standards compliance is achieved and communicating all quarterly marketing initiatives. Managing head office team that control stock process and ensuring correct payment of volume bonus and ad hoc payments. Putting in place all reporting for field team and head of sales. Working with finance to get approval and deployment of additional funding requirements. Show less Responsibility for the field team managing New cars, New Vans, Parts, Accessories and Service operations. Covered Region 7 which is East Midlands, East Anglia and Essex. Managing field team of 7 staff covering all aspects of retail activity. Responsible for customer satisfaction and target achievement. Whilst performing this role the region grew both market share and volume well above the national average. Also responsible in the successful implementation of a Parts trade strategy and improvement of customer satisfaction scores. Part of the team that delivered Vauxhall' best year for retail volume and share in 2014.Managed continuous improvement in sales process' to achieve stretching targets Show less

  • National Sales Manager

    Oct 2020 - Jan 2023

  • Group Head of Sales

    Oct 2018 - Oct 2020

  • Regional Operations Manager

    Oct 2012 - Sept 2018

  • Business Management Manager

    Feb 2012 - Nov 2012
• 

  Pure-Energy

  Feb 2023 - now

  Area Manager / Solar Surveyor

  After Months of training I have changed careers massively, now working as an Area Manager in the Solar industry. Any of my ex colleagues thinking of reducing their electric bills let me know!