Lifestyle Europe’s ‘journey to management’ training scheme was judged to be the very essence of forward thinking. It is a company taking control of its destiny, using a programme developed around an industry framework, to ensure the business is fit for the future by ensuring it does all it can to produce potential managers.

The scheme was inspired by the realisation that staff turnover at the company had declined and the age of the existing management team was creeping upwards. Recruiting new managers was difficult because of the lack of suitable candidates.

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Lifestyle Europe worked with Ford UK to produce an 18-month programme, following the basis of the Institute of the Motor Industry’s Automotive Management Accreditation, designed to develop ‘assistant managers-in-waiting’. Lifestyle Europe said: “It allows us to strengthen our skill base within that level of the organisation and to produce a clear manpower plan for our future business development.”

The results, felt across the business, included better financial performance in sales – whether add-ons or launches of new products; reductions in accidents in specific departments or sites; reduced labour turnover; lower recruitment costs and better retention. But it also positively affected morale and employees feeling that they are cared for, developed and ‘belong’.

Our judges said it was logical, well considered and was delivering great results from a disparate mix of franchises and locations.

 

Highly commended

Kinghams of Croydon

Shortlisted

Hyundai Capital
JCT600
Mercedes-Benz UK (Van Talent)

Previous winners

2014 Peter Vardy Academy  2013 Kia Motors UK 2012 Cross Roads Subaru