Ashley Overton
Southampton,Hampshire
Summary
A highly effective sales and management professional, with an impressive record of achievement. Known as The Dealmaker at my previous employment, for creating sales by thinking outside the box. A strong negotiator, able to get results in long and complex negotiations.
An enthusiastic and lively team player.
A driven team leader with natural aptitude as an innovator of sales techniques for training and guiding sales teams at all levels and enabling them to foster client relationships.
A strong advocate of systems and processes to repeat best performance routines effectively, and a creator of software solutions for greater sales results - on CRM and other platform systems and processes
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Sales Director
Ancasta Group
Hamble, Hampshire
2020.08 - Current
- Managed a team of 52 brokers across 7 Ancasta-owned offices, 9 franchises and 12 IAFs (Agents) through Teams meetings, annual conferences, working together on targets, client contact development and the creation of reporting tools.
- Managed teams for the Company in the preparation and follow-ups at shows including Dusseldorf, Salon des Multicoques, Palma, South Coast Boat Show, British Motor Yacht Show, Cannes, Southampton, Monaco, Fort Lauderdale
- Managed the stocking facilities and various floorplans, negotiating terms and managing best solutions to run as the backbone to our trading
- Initiated and brought into being, Ancasta's Virtual Boat Show at the start of Covid
- Initiated and brought into being, Ancasta's Virtual Dusseldorf Boat Show
- Won the Sanlorenzo & Bluegame dealerships for UK & Ireland; Created Sanlorenzo Yachts Ltd as a subsidiary, with own office, team and identity
- Managed the introduction of Contest Yachts agency for the UK
- 10-point development of Ancanet to act as a more detailed CRM for the Group
- Created the “Ancasta Broker Navigation Manual”, the Ancasta Bible, as a rulebook and sales training guide
- Strengthened team performance through effective coaching and mentoring.
- Streamlined sales processes to improve operational efficiency.
- Optimised sales tactics based on comprehensive market analysis.
- Navigated complex negotiations to achieve favourable outcomes.
- Drove process improvements by implementing innovative sales strategies.
- Elevated customer satisfaction levels with proactive client management.
Sales Director
Sanlorenzo Yachts UK
Swanwick, Hampshire
2020.08 - Current
- Led the negotiations with the manufacturers
- Developed early relationships with the key personnel at the factory to ensure strong partnerships
- Drew up and delivered the introduction of the brands into the Ancasta Group
- Led the training for learning superyacht business, writing and understanding our competitor analysis, and creating partnerships to work with
- Navigated complex negotiations to achieve favourable outcomes.
- Facilitated deal closures by cultivating trust-based client relationships.
- Worked with other brokers and managed relationships to successfully introduce their clients
- Created many successful initiatives to bring better knowledge of the Sanlorenzo and Bluegame brands to the UK boaters
- Hit all volume targets set by manufacturer, and negotiated renewal of contracts for both brands
New Boat Sales Director
Ancasta International Boat Sales
Hamble, Hampshire
1999.04 - 2020.08
- Won the Lagoon dealership for UK, bringing multihulls into the forefront
- Secured Rodman brand
- Sold Ancasta's first custom yacht CNB 95, and managed client through 3-year build, including specification and financing solution
- Managed the introduction of Sealine brand, and created Sealine South Coast and Sealine Cote d'Azur subsidiaries. Biggest brand for Ancasta in its first year
- Managed introduction of new era of ABSAT, the cloud-based new boat sales analysis tool, for pan-office quotations, deal analysis, statements, purchase orders, management reporting
- Secured Prestige brand, after investors in Sealine opted to do own direct sales in UK territory
- Created first IAF (Independent Ancasta Franchise) agent, and developed this model since, there are now 12 IAFs
- Created CARL, a cloud-based brokerage reporting and analysis tool, and part of the Clients Account management
- Secured Beneteau Power dealership through my close relationship with Beneteau management
- Won Prestige Balearics dealership to further build on successes, and create a Mediterranean link, especially important after Brexit
- Streamlined sales processes to improve operational efficiency.
- Organised special sales at specific times to drive customer engagement and move high volumes of products.
Non-Executive Director
National Boat Shows Ltd
Poole, Dorset
2008.01 - 2011.01
- Part of the team that created the live events at London Boat Show to increase footfall
- Created the multihull area at Southampton Boat Show
Non-Executive Director
British Kitesurfing Association
Poole, Dorset
2009.01 - 2010.01
- First batch of non-executives appointed by members
- BKSA created to govern development of the sport, safety, and prepare kitesurfing as a discipline for future 2012 Olympics
- Developed corporate governance for improved business operations.
- Oversaw budget preparation, guaranteeing financial prudence.
Brand Manager
Ancasta International Boat Sales
Hamble, Hampshire
1997.09 - 1999.04
- Created more efficient quotation, contract and sales analysis systems so that new boat sales could happen from any office in the Ancasta Network
- Developed stronger ties with manufacturer (Beneteau) and key personnel on all levels, to create a better partnership going forwards
Senior Broker
Ancasta International Boat Sales
Hamble, Hampshire
1995.03 - 1997.09
- Ran the company's Part Exchange stock
- Took over as Manager, Hamble office
- Worked as part of the management team reporting to London-based parent company
Junior Broker
Ancasta International Boat Sales
1994.01 - 1995.03
- Assisted in opening of new Lymington office
Key Account Manager
S'il Vous Plait Ltd
Thame, Oxfordshire
1988.11 - 1994.01
- Part of the creation of a family business, importing, wholesaling and retailing Belgian chocolates
- Created sales order system
- 700% turnover increase in 7 years
Junior Broker
Ancasta International Boat Sales
Hamble, Hampshire
1987.03 - 1988.11
- Opened the Mercury Yacht Harbour satellite office
- Learned brokerage trade
- Assisted senior brokers with complex transactions, ensuring smooth operation.
Sales Representative
Black & Decker
Slough, Berkshire
1986.08 - 1987.03
- First of the graduate training scheme
- Rationalised list of stockists and developed key dealers
- Top national sales representative for two financial quarters
Education
A-Levels - French, German, Business Studies
Aylesbury Grammar School
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire 1978.10 - 1982.05
Bachelor of Arts - French Studies
Portsmouth Polytechnic
Portsmouth, Hampshire 1982.09 - 1986.06
Langues Étrangères Appliquées - Foreign Languages
Université de Limoges
Limoges, France 1984.09 - 1985.07
Falcon Accountancy Course - Accountancy
Falcon Accountancy Training
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire 1982.05 - 1982.06
Skinners Grammar School
Tunbridge Wells, Kent 1975.09 - 1978.10
Skills
- Negotiation and implementation of nine brands into the Ancasta network
- Oversaw the boat sales division turnover increase from £11M to £53M from 1997 to 2024
Affiliations
- Kitesurfing
- Classic cars (finished Dax Rush build project); currently run AK Cobra
- Live music (since early age working at a rock club)
- Rugby (played until 2012)
Certification
RYA ICC licence
RYA VHF licence
Languages
French
Fluent
German
Intermediate
Personal Information
- Date of birth: 05/08/64
- Marital status: Married
Timeline
Sales Director
Ancasta Group
2020.08 - Current
Sales Director
Sanlorenzo Yachts UK
2020.08 - Current
Non-Executive Director
British Kitesurfing Association
2009.01 - 2010.01
Non-Executive Director
National Boat Shows Ltd
2008.01 - 2011.01
New Boat Sales Director
Ancasta International Boat Sales
1999.04 - 2020.08
Brand Manager
Ancasta International Boat Sales
1997.09 - 1999.04
Senior Broker
Ancasta International Boat Sales
1995.03 - 1997.09
Junior Broker
Ancasta International Boat Sales
1994.01 - 1995.03
Key Account Manager
S'il Vous Plait Ltd
1988.11 - 1994.01
Junior Broker
Ancasta International Boat Sales
1987.03 - 1988.11
Sales Representative
Black & Decker
1986.08 - 1987.03
Langues Étrangères Appliquées - Foreign Languages
Université de Limoges
1984.09 - 1985.07
Bachelor of Arts - French Studies
Portsmouth Polytechnic
1982.09 - 1986.06
Falcon Accountancy Course - Accountancy
Falcon Accountancy Training
1982.05 - 1982.06
A-Levels - French, German, Business Studies
Aylesbury Grammar School
1978.10 - 1982.05
Skinners Grammar School
1975.09 - 1978.10