Two North East motor retail professionals are being celebrated in a national awards ceremony for their outstanding performance.
The CEO Awards celebrate the top performing colleagues across Vertu Motors plc, owners of the Bristol Street Motors, Farnell Jaguar Land Rover, Vertu Toyota and Vertu Honda brands, at its annual dinner. The ceremony is hosted by the Group’s CEO, Robert Forrester.
Jonny Urwin, group purchasing manager for Vertu Motors, was acknowledged as ‘Central Services Person of the Year’ while Jeff Aynsley, general manager at The Infiniti Centre Newcastle, was named Company Person of the Year. The Infiniti Centre Newcastle has also recently collected an award for the ‘Most Improved Dealership’ at the AM Awards 2018.
Robert Forrester, CEO of Vertu Motors plc said: “Jeff has really put Infiniti on the map in the North East of England. He has built and led his team with a passion that has impressed everyone who has had contact with the dealership over the last year.
“A truly great result delivered with talent, drive, energy, attitude and character in abundance. Great colleague satisfaction results, great customer satisfaction results and a financial performance well above expectations – well done Jeff!”
“Jonny started as a Graduate in our Purchasing team in 2014. He arrived and made a mark from day one by establishing himself as a trustworthy and reliable go-to person to get things done. Always helpful and professional he upholds the Vertu values in every aspect of his work.
“Jonny is dedicated, focused and is constantly thinking of how he can help or improve our service to the dealerships. We received many nominations mirroring these comments that it was hard to look past him, in relation to who should win.
“Personally, he has also moved through the ranks of the FA as a professional referee which probably deserves an award in itself for bravery. In short Jonny embodies our values and for this reason he truly deserves this award.”
Jonny said, “I have been with Vertu Motors since the beginning of my career and the company has been fundamental to my career progression, leading to my recent promotion to group purchasing manager in 2017. To be acknowledged as ‘Central Services Person of the Year’ when the Group represents so many talented individuals is amazing, and I am very thankful.”
Jeff added: “Representing the only Infiniti dealership that Vertu Motors operates in the UK, is a huge honour and responsibility. The team and I have enjoyed the task of growing the Infiniti Centre Newcastle’s reputation in the North East enormously, and to receive an award in recognition of that work is very humbling.”