AM webinar: What makes a great regional hero dealer?

The skills and passion behind the UK's greatest local motor retailers are the topic of discussion for an AM Regional Heroes webinar on May 4, where we will be joined by award-winning dealer groups.

In terms of outright profitability and efficiency, often regional dealer groups cannot be beaten by the nationals and PLCs. We celebrate the 'regional heroes', find out about their strengths, what their challenges are and how they overcome these, in our webinar, sponsored by Aston Barclay and Marketing Delivery.

Among the retailers already confirmed to join the discussion panel on May 4 are JCT600 chief executive John Tordoff and Gravells of Kidwelly managing director Jonathan Gravell.

AM news and features editor Tom Sharpe, who will chair the discussion, said: "There are many lessons to be learned from how successful regional hero dealer groups build their reputation in their locality and put their customers at the heart of what they do.

"Not to mention how they crucially adapt their business, as consumer demands shift, to remain a relevant, one-stop-shop for their territory.

"This promises to be a fascinating, insightful discussion."

The webinar follows on from our Regional Heroes themed section in the latest AM magazine, available to read here free in digital form, where industry analysts Steve Young of the ICDP and Mike Jones of ASE noted that regional retailers are well placed to strengthen their franchised portfolios and successful operators have a number of options available to them.