James Rant Email & Phone Number

Bristol, United Kingdom

Bristol, United Kingdom

Working with manufactures and retailers.

Barnstable, Devon

Mentoring a family member to take control of the business.

Bristol, United Kingdom

Originally employed at the inception of Ford Retail Europe to take part in the establishment of a manufacturer backed metropolis strategy from a disparate collection of loss making businesses.I started with the completion of acquisition and integration of three businesses in the Amsterdam region; this was completed in October 2005 with a planned transfer to Brussels. The burgeoning losses mounting in Bristol prompted a change of plan and my appointment in January 2006. These businesses were transformed during 2006-2007 and were the highest turnover and profit contributor in group from 2008 to 2011. This has been achieved with a stable, well motivated team who are committed to giving the highest levels of customer service – this vision is now being rolled out in the Midlands region.Retail Dealers were taken from 4 to 9 to improve geographical penetration.I retained full GM operational control of these businesses throughout my employment.Group Roles:Ford Direct annual objectives and achievement.Used vehicle disposal 2010 to 2012MRC vehicle exchangeNational rental supplyNumber plates, uniform and overalls These roles were in lieu of the planned growth of the Western area from Cardiff to Reading that never came to fruition.

Oxford - Uk

Reporting to Main Board Director, with responsibility for 4 operations across the UK, also overseeing 4 site disposals and closures due to franchise restructureProvided advice on franchise development and used car operations for Jardine-Matheson Concord Motors in IndiaManaged UK wide franchise restructuring programme for Lancaster GroupDeveloped new operating systems and procedures to support assimilation of former Appleyard businesses into Lancaster GroupCreated and developed marketing and advertising campaigns through radio, newspaper and television mediaRecruitment, training and development of staff to meet leading industry standards through ‘Investors in People’

Oxford-Uk

Tasked with reviving a major Vauxhall franchise with £ 30m turnover and losses of £ 0.5m per annum – increased turnover to 50m and profit of £ 1 million in 1997.Operational control of 12 locations with 650 staff, this included the development and implementation of a centralized computer based management accounting facility