Peter Vardy Vauxhall in Edinburgh is the Best UK Dealership To Work For in 2017, but four other Peter Vardy dealerships also qualified as Best UK Dealerships To Work For: Peter Vardy BMW/Mini Edinburgh; Peter Vardy CarStore Glasgow; Peter Vardy Vauxhall Aberdeen; Peter Vardy Vauxhall Kirkcaldy.

Since the family-run group launched a partnership share scheme in 2015, all permanent staff have the opportunity to become partners with share options, ensuring they share in the successes that they contribute to and motivating them to remain with the business.

Peter Vardy operates a ‘high flyers’ incentive programme, which rewards the top performers across the group with trips, such as to New York, Las Vegas or the Goodwood Festival of Speed. For technicians and sales management, an uncapped bonus scheme enables them to drive up earnings.

Employee performance reviews are conducted more than twice a year. On average, employees undertake 24 hours of training and development a year. 

Peter Vardy offers a ‘rookie programme’ to bring new starters up to speed, and a trainee management programme supports staff wishing to progress to managerial roles. In addition, Peter Vardy aims to turn suitable employees into great leaders for the company, and staff at the dealership can avail of a leadership development programme, comprising workshops, external training, online training and webinars.

Succession planning is taken very seriously, and the business offers mentoring and job shadowing to enable employees to expand their skills and knowledge. In the past year, 49% of its permanent vacancies were filled by internal staff.

An emphasis on having quality family time and strong community links is spread from the top to the bottom of the group, which operates a five-day working week. The business is closed on Sundays – Peter Vardy wants employees to enjoy their life outside the business, and it also gives staff time to do voluntary work that helps local good causes. 

Events such as an annual ball, quarterly team nights out and family fun days help the staff to get to know each other better socially and allow the business to show appreciation for their efforts.

Other methods of recognition at the business include an ‘employee of the month’ award and an annual group awards event.

Chief executive Peter Vardy presents a business update to staff quarterly, and a weekly ‘T-mail’ video sent every Monday keeps them updated about the company and upcoming projects. The company, which has the joint highest proportion of female staff at 31% (with Southend Audi), asks employees twice annually what they think of their work, through formal surveys.