'Inspirational' former Motorpoint operations director Paul Winfield dies

Former Motorpoint operations director Paul Winfield has died aged 68, prompting a flurry of tributes to an “inspirational” and “lovely human”.

The used car supermarket group’s chief executive, Mark Carpenter, took to LinkedIn yesterday (February 9) to share news of Winfield’s passing more than six years after he took retirement after an 18 year spell with the PLC.

Carpenter said: “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Paul Winfield. Paul worked tirelessly as our operations director for almost 20 years and was instrumental in Motorpoint’s success over this period.

“Many of us knew Paul very well, and his enormous personality and charisma will be greatly missed.

“On a personal level, Paul welcomed me warmly when I first joined Motorpoint in 2011, and he was both great company and a passionate leader in our business.

“Paul always had a funny story to tell, had bags of energy and was always on hand to help a team when under pressure – he’d be washing cars if we had a backlog, which was hugely respected by those who worked with him.

“All of us at Motorpoint will greatly miss Paul, and our thoughts are very much with his wife, Helen and their three children at this difficult time.”

Cap HPI head of sales Jill Corden was among those who responded to the post to share their own memories of Winfield.

She said: “Very sad news. Paul was a genuinely lovely human who I enjoyed working with and getting to know over the years as Motorpoint grew.

“He always talked with such pride about his family with his great smile and we would talk horses and cars when we had talked business. Thinking of them at this sad time and all of the Motorpoint team. Rest easy Paul x”

Adam Gilmore, sales and stock director at Peter Vardy, said: “A true leader and role model for so many, I would go as far to say he was the foundation of the business for so many years. Loved and respected by all, RIP boss.”

Gary Dunne, sales manager at Classic Car Auctions, said: “Absolutely heart-breaking news. Paul was one of the most inspirational chaps I ever encountered during thirty years in the motor trade.

“My sincere condolences to both Paul’s family and the Motorpoint team who will undoubtedly be deeply saddened by this news.”