ANDREW Cope, formerly the driving force behind the success of vehicle leasing giant Zenith, is joining the board of broker Synergy Automotive. The aim? To help maintain the company’s growth strategy towards a target £42m fleet this year.
A co-founder of Zenith in 1989, Mr Cope was instrumental in leading the company through five private equity buyouts between 2003-2014, before spearheading the MBO of incident management and roadside recovery specialist FMG a year after joining its board in 2014.
Working alongside Synergy Automotive MD and founder Paul Parkinson, the non-executive director will help to shape the strategy and vision of the 23-strong business at Hornbeam Park in Harrogate, which is marking unprecedented growth in its 10th year of trading, offering vehicle leasing and contract hire to both business and personal clients.
Leasing more than £29m of vehicles at retail value in the last financial year, Synergy Automotive plans to increase that by over 30% to £42m this financial year.
Acknowledged for delivering excellence in customer service, the business has been awarded Gold Trusted Merchant status from the global feedback engine Feefo for achieving a 100% customer service rating for two consecutive years across 2015 and 2016.
Appointed Representative Opportunities with Wessex Fleet
Have you thought about growing your broker business? Are you looking for opportunities for growth? Then why not consider joining Wessex Fleet as an Appointed Representative?
Keeping you on the move with leasing solutions tailored to your needs
Leasys is the proud Contract Hire partner of the Stellantis brands, offering mobility solutions from medium and long-term rentals to management systems for company fleets.We work with Brokers to support all their customers requirements.
Accelerate your business with QV Systems & Leaselink
Unlock unparalleled efficiency in vehicle procurement with QV Systems’ Accelerate, now seamlessly integrated with Ebbon Automotive’s Leaselink. Tailored for brokers and funders, this integration streamlines the entire process from quote to delivery, empowering you to effortlessly source and order vehicles for your clients.
Earmarked as ‘one to watch’, the business has enormous potential to continue its growth trajectory and I’m looking forward to drawing on my experience to help it continue to go from strength to strength.
Synergy Automotive MD Paul Parkinson commented: “Andrew’s appointment marks another milestone in Synergy’s development. Innovation, coupled with ongoing investment to deliver top class customer service, is instrumental to furthering our success and Andrew’s powerful track record will accelerate our wider goals and vision.”
“Thanks go to KPMG’s Leeds corporate finance team, Christian Mayo and Graham Pearce, who have been instrumental in working with us throughout the last 16 months, supported by their excellent legal team headed up by Nick Roome.”
Mr Cope said: “Under Paul’s dynamic leadership, Synergy Automotive has carved a strong reputation in the industry. Earmarked as ‘one to watch’, the business has enormous potential to continue its growth trajectory and I’m looking forward to drawing on my experience to help it continue to go from strength to strength.
“Many who know me will be surprised about my involvement, but Synergy and other businesses like it are re-writing the book on how to deliver vehicles in the 21st Century.”
Synergy Automotive is a member of the BVRLA which invited Paul Parkinson on to its National Leasing Broker Committee. He was the only North of England committee member invited on to a special BVRLA delegation to meet with HMRC/Treasury officials in London to discuss the future of company car tax.
Thinking of the switch to electric?
Need help in finding the right electric vehicle for you? Compare driving range, battery capacity, charging time, price, and features to find the perfect EV for you.