Management boost for Oxford retailer

An Oxford business has boosted its senior management by appointing a new motoring expert to lead its team.

Guy Twiselton, from Kidlington, has joined Volkswagen retailer Ridgeway Oxford Kidlington as general sales manager.

Having worked in the automotive industry straight from school, the 28-year-old has quickly progressed up the career ladder, where he has held various managerial roles for the past five years.

Guy joined the Ridgeway Group in 2010 and has worked with both the Volkswagen and Audi brands across Oxford. His latest appointment will see him lead a larger site bringing together his expertise to enhance the business for Kidlington motorists.

Speaking about the new role, Guy said: “I’m delighted to have accepted the role and look forward to the fresh challenge.”

“My focus will be to enhance customer service and strengthen the business in the area. The staff at Ridgeway are fantastic and I’m looking forward to working closely with the Kidlington team.”

Simon McLaughlin, Volkswagen Brand Director for Ridgeway: “Guy’s passion and determination is a valuable addition to the team in Oxford.”

Aberdeen business helps support students future

An Aberdeen business has confirmed its commitment to teenage students from a Lower Deeside secondary school.

Volkswagen car retailer, Specialist Cars, has strengthened its support for Cults Academy’s vocational car mechanic course, in order to provide a realistic insight into the automotive sector.

The two-year course is still in its infancy with student numbers increasing year-on-year.

It is reliant on the support of high profile businesses and industry bodies to deliver a realistic curriculum for its students, as Cults Academy’s department head, Peter Flood, explains.

He said: “It is imperative that educational establishments, such as the Cults Academy, makes a concerted effort to help make students employable.

“Specialist Cars has invested a considerable amount of time and resources into the students’ projects and studies providing an invaluable insight into the motor industry and we are extremely grateful for their support.”

In addition to the mock interviews, the Volkswagen car retailer’s service manager, Scott Brunton, has attended career advice sessions and has committed to supporting the academy’s student 12 week work placement programme.

Scott, said: “Specialist Cars believes it is important to give youngsters the opportunity to learn and develop new skills which will enhance their employment prospects.

“We are very happy to support the Cults Academy and their students. We aim to provide a realistic insight into the variety of motoring professions available, after all these students will be our next generation of drivers and may be our automotive experts of the future.”

Picture caption: Pupils from the Cults Academy with course leader, James Martin and the vehicle developed for the Greenpower Challenge which Specialist Cars helped to support.

For further information contact Sue Foster on 01902 714957 or email sue@connect-group.com.

MODUS mos get growing for charity

A team led by the UK’s leading darts management company are letting their moustaches grow wild this November in support of global charity Movember.

The MODUS Sports Management team will feature world class darts players James Wade, Mark Webster, Paul Nicholson and Arron Monk as well as professional referee George Noble, who are all growing their upper lip topiary for the charity.

The boys start growing their moustaches today and fans can keep up to date with their progress via the MODUS twitter page – www.twitter.com/modusdarts 180 or by tuning in to the PDC Grand Slam of Darts, which starts live on Sky on Saturday 12 November 2011.

Funds raised in the UK support the number one and two male specific cancers - prostate and testicular cancer. The funds raised are directed to programmes run directly by Movember and their men’s health partners, The Prostate Cancer Charity and the Institute of Cancer Research. Together, these channels work together to ensure that Movember funds are supporting a broad range of innovative, world-class programmes in the areas of awareness and education, survivorship and research.

Jason Thame, MODUS’s managing director, said: “Viewers are in for a real treat when they tune in to the Grand Slam of Darts this year. I’ve seen these guys when they are partly shaven and it can be quite horrific. How they’ll look with the fully Monty is anyone’s guess. Seriously, this is a fantastic initiative, and we are delighted to be supporting it.”

James Wade is the second most successful PDC player of all time, with major titles including the 2011 Speedy Hire UK Open. He said: “I’m delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile cause. If the guys and I can help drive awareness in such a busy, high profile darts month, it’s the least we can do.”

You can support the team by visiting http://uk.movember.com/donate/team-details/id/263232/searchTerm/Modus to make an online donation to the charity.

HiQ Wisbech turns pink is aid of Breast Cancer Care

It may not have looked like a typical day at the dealership for staff at J S Holmes Ltd, clad in pink and raising money for charity, but spirits were high as the team took part in a Fun day Friday for Breast Cancer Care.

Staff at the approved used car Nissan and Ford dealership on High Road, together with their fast fit partner, HiQ, downed tools and invited customers to enjoy freshly baked cakes and refreshments, in return for small donations to the charity.

Hosted for a second year running, the team turned the dealership pink with a whole host of decorations and pink HiQ memorabilia, including company branded race suits and hats.

Customers also sponsored director of J S Holmes Ltd, Martin Holmes, as he had his chest waxed, in a bid to boost the total amount raised.

Speaking of the charity fundraiser on Friday 28^th October, Martin said: “It was a great, albeit very painful day.

“Breast Cancer Care is a very important charity to us and for the last couple of years; we have hosted fundraisers as a way of showing our support and getting involved.

“Being established in the area for over 50 years, it was great to see our customers enjoying the day and getting into the spirit of fundraising. I’m sure they all had a laugh at my expense too!

“Thank you to everyone who came along and donated.”

HiQ is an official charity partner to Breast Cancer Care and actively fundraises for the charity in a national project pink programme. Since the partnership began in 2009, the brand has raised over £80,000.

For more information about J S Holmes Ltd, please visit www.jsholmes.com or call 0845 271 7614.

For more information about HiQ’s breast cancer care partnership, visit www.hiqonline.co.uk/projectpink.

MARATHON MAN RUNNING FOR CHARITY

A Newtownards man is gearing up for the run of his life as he prepares to raise up £1,000 for charity.

Ian Calderwood will be pounding the streets of Dublin on the 31st October as he aims to complete the Dublin Marathon and generate vital funds for the Haematology Research Centre at Belfast City Hospital.

The 42-year-old has never run a full marathon before, but has been training since January to ensure he’s fighting fit for the event.

The general sales manager at Isaac Agnew Volkswagen on Boucher Road in Belfast is raising the funds after his father-in-law was treated at the hospital unit and a work colleague is currently being treated there.

He said: “The training has been tough but not as tough as the people who have undergone and are still having treatment at the haematology department.

“I’m hoping to raise about £1,000 and will run the marathon knowing the money will be going to a very good cause. The current total is £882.

“I’ve had lots of support from friends, family and work colleagues at Isaac Agnew Volkswagen; some of who will travel to Dublin to cheer me on.”

Brian Robinson, managing director at Isaac Agnew Volkswagen, has been one of those encouraging Ian during his training and is proud to have staff prepared to raise money for good causes.

He said: “Ian has devoted many months of his time to training properly for the marathon and we wish him every success in the event and raising the money for the Haematology Research Centre at Belfast City Hospital.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor Ian’s marathon can simply go to into Isaac Agnew Volkswagen on Boucher Road and ask for Ian.

National recognition for motoring profession

A motoring specialist from Aberdeen has been rewarded for his outstanding levels of customer service by one of Europe’s largest car manufacturers.

Service advisor, Craig Huggins, who works at Specialist Cars was named as one of Volkswagen’s top ten service advisors in the UK.

The 23-year-old, who joined the Volkswagen retailer in 2009 has specialised in the automotive service industry for eight years. Craig successfully completed a series of assessments and role plays to achieve his prestigious status.

As part of his graduation Craig enjoyed a three day trip to Volkswagen’s factory and museum in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Speaking of his recent status, Craig said: “To have my work labelled as one of the best in the country makes me incredibly proud.

“I was delighted to visit the Volkswagen factory and the AutoStadt museum. It was a truly amazing experience and one that I will certainly remember.”

Tony Lanni, sales manager at Specialist Cars Aberdeen, said: “Our congratulations go to Craig.

“We’re very proud of his achievement and believe he deserves his recognition for consistent professionalism.”

Hard up motorists swerving into part worn tyre torment

Millions of motorists are risking serious accidents by driving around on part worn and second hand tyres, after defective tyres were blamed for 1,210 casualties on British roads last year.

With the slow recovery of the UK’s economy, the HiQ fast fit network can reveal that more 35 per cent of motorists are currently purchasing second hand or used tyres.

Figures from the Department for Transport show that 18 motorists were killed during 2010 from defective tyres, bringing the number of tyre related deaths on UK roads in the last five years to 164.

To coincide with the release of these figures, HiQ has commissioned its own research which reveals that millions of motorists are willingly putting themselves at risk by buying part worn, second hand tyres that are ‘unsafe’ and a ‘false economy.’

The survey found that over a third of motorists have bought used tyres with over 40% saying they did so to save money.

Almost half of those questioned said they didn’t consider the possible dangers involved with buying used tyres, despite many coming from written off cars and imported from Eastern European scrapyards.

Nearly a third of those surveyed did not know that part-worn tyres can actually suffer from severe structural damage which can’t be seen with the naked eye.

Nearly half of motorists were not aware that part worn tyres can also add two car lengths to a car’s stopping distance in the wet when travelling at just 50mph.

Furthermore, less than a third actually considered the false economy involved in buying used tyres, which typically don’t last as long and need replacing much sooner than new tyres.

The HiQ fast fit network said that while appreciating that times were hard, motorists were in fact paying five times more money for second hand tyres in the long run compared to a mid-range or budget new tyre.

A used tyre has typically 3 mm of tread left on it. As 1.6mm is the minimum legal tread depth, motorists are paying for just 1.4mm of useable tread compared to 6.4mm of useable tread from a new tyre that typically has 8mm of tread when new. HiQ’s message to motorists is to simply do the maths. Used tyres are a false economy.

Richard Edy, director of the NTDA (National Tyre Distributors Association) said that around 60 per cent of all part worns are imported from mainland Europe.

He said: “A used tyre working group for the Government states that there are three million used tyres sold on the UK roads each year, up from 2 million last year. Of that total, around 10 per cent of the total are part-worn tyres.

“Around 60 per cent of part worn tyres will originate from mainland Europe, with German imports figuring significantly.

“German motorists are far more responsible about replacing their tyres than motorists in the UK. The vast majority opt for winter tyres and won’t want to put their summer tyres back on their cars if they only boast around 4mm in tread depth.

“Many of those tyres then end up on our cars over here.” HiQ Retail Marketing

Manager Geraldine McGovern said: “In the vast majority of cases many part worn tyres are retailed illegally as they are not clearly marked as partworn at the point of sale. The main misconception is that they are simply ‘worn’ and everything else is OK. The truth is you never know where they are from.

“But the overriding message is that they are a false economy and extremely unsafe.

“We take tyre safety extremely seriously and if there is a small chance that a tyre might not perform as it should, then we could never recommend them, no

matter how cheap they are.

“We are offering free tyre safety checks at all of our centres and we are committed to providing the right tyre for each and every motorist, whatever their budget.

“We completely appreciated the financial constraints around many motorists’ pockets right now, but they can actually save money in the long term by purchasing new tyres at affordable prices instead of part worns.”

For more information about HiQ’s part worn education campaign, click on www.hiqonline.co.uk/tyres/partworn