Bowker appoints Ben Gornall as finance director

03/05/2022

Bowker Motor Group has appointed Ben Gornall as its new finance director.

He joined the family-owned dealer group four years ago, as a financial controller. His new role sees him take on more responsibility for day-to-day financial decisions at the business.

Gornall will continue to report to Andy Gee, chief financial officer at Bowker Group, which incorporates Bowker Motor Group and Bowker Transport. Gee joined the Group in 2018.

A former student at All Hallows in Penwortham and Cardinal Newman College, Gornall studied Economics at Lancaster University and joined Bowker from Oldham-based NSL where he was also financial controller.

Commenting on his new post, he said: “I joined Bowker Motor Group as Porsche Centre Preston was being built. It was an exciting experience to be part of the team that took a new business from plans to reality – now employing over 40 people.

“Today, after an uncertain period for all North West businesses, Bowker Motor Group is operating across all our dealerships with confidence. The automotive retail sector is in an exciting position and it offers a strong foundation for further growth. My challenge will be to help Bowker Motor Group to maximise the opportunities that the next phase of our growth represents.”

Bowker Motor Group operates automotive dealerships including BMW and Mini franchises in Blackburn and Preston, Porsche Centre Preston, Bowker Motorrad in Preston, and Bowker Ribble Valley in Osbaldeston.

Paul Bowker, chief executive officer at Bowker Motor Group, said: “Ben’s new role will strengthen our wider group finance team. I am pleased that Ben has chosen to continue his career with us here at Bowker. He will continue to work closely with Andy Gee as we look to develop all sides of the Bowker Group.”

Bowker Motor Group has entered an automotive technical skills partnership with Preston College, with the aim of boosting the confidence of apprentices.

Preston College is currently the largest apprenticeship provider the vicinity of AM100 car retail group Bowker. The retail group said its partnership with Preston College will aim to make the next generation of automotive talent confident in carrying out maintenance and everyday repairs on vehicles, cars and motorcycles, along with more complex diagnostics and servicing.

Spotlight on running a modern dealership 2023

The latest AM industry special issue

The complexity of running a modern dealership can be misunderstood easily by people looking in on our industry.

Any general manager has so many plates to spin, and they must foster a talented team that they can rely on to not just do the basics well, but to sprinkle some magic on top that customers can notice.

If the marketplace in 2023 is steadily returning to relative normality, this normality now includes the drive to find customers for an increasing supply of electric vehicles, and the need to source used cars from all channels and market them carefully. And of course there are the desires to delight consumers with an omnichannel experience and to hold on to decent margins after a couple of years of strong profitability.

The expectations of both the customer and the business’s stakeholder must be achieved to the optimum level.

In this special digital publication, industry experts, prominent suppliers and franchised dealers share their insights on the major aspects required in running a modern dealership well.

Read now