Premier Ford in Newport was recently named as one of the 2018 AM Best UK Dealerships to Work For for the second year in a row.
The programme is a joint project of Automotive Management and Best Companies Group.
This survey and awards programme was designed to identify, recognise and reward the best automotive dealerships to work for in the United Kingdom, benefiting the area’s economy, its workforce and businesses.
Of more than 45 registered dealerships, Premier Ford was 1 of the 11 that passed the rigorous employer and staff engagement surveys by Best Companies Group to win the right to display the AM Best UK Dealerships To Work For accreditation. Awards were presented at Automotive Management Live at Birmingham’s NEC.
Once again Premier Ford was recognised for providing an outstanding workplace environment that engages its staff and allows them to flourish. The company is committed to ensuring its employees are motivated and happy through a range of benefits, and promotes a positive workplace culture through:
- Understanding that real improvement starts with a commitment from the top.
- Defining their corporate values and living by them.
- Hiring for team and cultural fit.
- Evaluating productivity versus time served.
- Embracing flexibility.
- Hiring and promoting leaders who love what they do.
- Placing trust and respect at the centre of all relationships.
Premier Ford also hosts Christmas dances for staff and their partners, and allows them to take some days as duvet days with no prior notice. 95% of staff receive a monthly bonus based on customer satisfaction and/or department profitability, while they receive further appreciation in the company’s annual recognition and long service awards. It also held a free health screening for staff with advice given on general health and fitness.
David Rye, Manager Director of Premier Ford said:
“I am very proud to receive this award for the second time, voted for by our own staff. It demonstrates the continuous efforts made across all departments to make Premier Ford a great place to work. Moving forward, our objective remains to have a happy team of staff and, of course, happy customers.”
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Tim Rose, Editor of Automotive Management, the UK’s leading motor industry magazine, said:
“Congratulations to Premier Ford on its remarkable achievement! It is one of less than a dozen across the UK to achieve the accolade this year.
“The UK’s motor retail industry is high pressured and extremely competitive, but full of opportunities for great earnings and career progression. And it is Premier Ford and the other 2018 AM Best UK Dealerships to Work For who play a leading role, by rewarding their staff well, by providing regular training, by helping staff climb the career ladder and by being a decent, responsible, caring employer.”
Earlier this year, Premier Ford received a Ford Chairman Award for 2017 from Ford Motor Company. This prestigious award, which is limited to the top 30 Ford dealers in the UK, recognises dealers that deliver the highest standards of customers satisfaction, quality and outstanding dealer performances across sales and service. Premier Ford had previously won this award in 2007.
David Rye, Manager Director of Premier Ford add:
“It truly has been a fantastic twelve months. Winning these awards shows the hard work that all of the team have put in over the last few years is coming to fruition. We should all be proud of our achievement and continue to improve our service to our customers and rewarding our staff accordingly.”
