Laurence Vaughan, Sytner Group managing director, has said he aims to make Sytner “the best company in the industry to work for”.

The pledge has been backed up by a series of commitments including training and career development, internal promotion and “pay rates among the best in the locality”. The focus on improving employee conditions arose following an internal survey conducted last year after Sytner acquired the Ixion Group. This identified career development, the working environment and recognition as the three most important factors to staff.

The company has spent £100,000 converting the former Ixion Group headquarters outside Coventry into a training and development centre.

Louise Gale, a former Ixion personnel manager, has been appointed human resources director and joined the Sytner operational board. Sytner is funding the centre, but it will also be available for external meetings and training courses.