Luscombe Motors finance director David Taylor (second from right) receives the award from sponsors Premia Solutions’ sales and marketing director Ian Simpson (second from left), and LTK Consultants’ managing director Andrew Landell and operations director Vanessa Kendrick

Founder and managing director Robin Luscombe usually leads this Leeds-based Mitsubishi and Suzuki retailer from the front, with a strong team behind him. A back injury has forced him to step back this year, but his dealership has forged on, thanks to employees who are always empowered to make decisions and who remain well informed about the business’s progress and any problems as they arise.

Performance reviews are done ‘as needed’ rather than relying on a set annual review, and the business invests in employees’ career development, with mentoring, IMI training for sales executives, participation in manufacturers’ apprentice schemes and the progression to master technician level within its Suzuki and Mitsubishi franchises.

Management and staff are able to celebrate its successes, attending events held by their manufacturer partners for great performance. Last year, the company brought all staff and their partners to an evening event to celebrate a record-breaking year of trading.

All staff receive financial rewards linked to the business’s performance. Standard benefits for staff include childcare vouchers, private medical insurance, loans for bicycles, retail discounts, and matched pension
contributions. Optional benefits include a car allowance.

Employees’ birthdays are celebrated with cake for everyone, and social events are arranged on an ad hoc basis. Staff are encouraged to help their local communities – the dealership was heralded as ‘dementia-friendly’ following its support of one local charity, and during March’s heavy snow, it loaned a 4x4 vehicle to a local doctors’ surgery to use for home visits.