Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Personal Qualities
Certification
Timeline
Generic

James Holmes

Pulborough,West Sussex

Summary

Results-driven Senior Sales Manager with talent for building high-performing teams and driving revenue growth. Expert in creating and executing strategic sales plans and processes, leading to increased profitability and improved customer satisfaction, and gaining long term client relationships.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work history

Divisional Sales Manager/Operational Board Member

idpp consulting
London
04.2023 - 05.2025
  • IDPP has been operating in the IT recruitment and resourcing sector for the past 35 years. During this period, we have successfully maintained relationships with a dozen key clients and managed these very successfully, with over 350 workplaces packages running throughout the UK currently. As a business we specialised in Permanent, Contract, and workplace packages.
  • At the beginning of 2023, idpp resolved to improve the business's marketability and saleability by setting up a dedicated New Business office. Which sole purpose would be to attract new clients and re-vitalise our old relationships.
  • I managed the site, with my responsibilities encompassing recruitment, full oversight of both the site and staff, and the enhancement of client acquisition through our established sales processes. Additionally, I ensured compliance with the legalisation of permanent and contract solutions.
  • This role included serving as an active operational board member, contributing input from the New Business area, and providing insights to other aspects of the business, again to improve the sale and marketability of idpp.
  • Guided team members on best practices in upselling and cross-selling techniques, leading to enhanced client value proposition.

Retail Development Sales Manager

Horsham Skoda
Horsham, West Sussex
03.2021 - 04.2023
  • During my time at Skoda, I was employed to bring an element of the main dealership expertise to the dealership from my previous years in the motor trade. Along with this I was tasked to re-look at the sales process, full overall of the available finance to the dealership, and the additional add on products, and a complete look into the FCA process, bringing on board Auto Protect.
  • During my time there, I successfully introduced EMAX (CRM system), collaborated with several large additional finance lenders; VWFS, and Evolution Funding, restructured the supply of all insurance-based products, the fully onboarded Auto Protect to be FCA compliant. All of this was to maximize each sale and provide the best experience for the customer.
  • The Sales Team under my management comprises four sales executives, one retention specialist, administrator, and various drivers.
  • Year on year we successfully sold and delivered 750 units, whilst achieving high finance and add on penetration. As the FCA are extremely focused on the automotive sector, I made sure that each sale matched the criteria that's required.
  • During my time there, I increased the finance profitability by circa 150k per year, due to the changes and structure that were put in place in my tenure.

General Sales Manager

Harwoods Land Rover
Pulborough, West Sussex
09.2020 - 03.2021
  • As Sales Manager for Land Rover Pulborough, I supervised seven sales executives, a used car controller, TM, and sales administrators. This role coincided with the COVID crisis, during this time we maximised every lead and sold and delivered 700+ vehicles. Earning us second within Harwoods JLR in 2020 and subsequently won the top Land Rover Retailer award in our region for that year, for sales, and customer retention.
  • Alongside meeting the manufactures requirements, I took passion and experiment in coaching and mentoring the staff in my department. This I found very rewarding through the success that they all achieved throughout their time with Land Rover.
  • I was consistently focused on maximising all profit margins from various incoming sources including vehicle purchases, auctioned vehicles, finance products, and preparation costs. I would manage these aspects meticulously to ensure that our site aimed to be the most profitable within the group.

Business & Transaction Manager

Harwoods Land Rover
Pulborough, West Sussex
09.2017 - 09.2020
  • As part of my role, I was responsible for managing all new vehicle orders, FCA compliance, monitoring stock turnover, conducting BCA appraisals, maintaining demo and showroom JLR standards, handling all types of vehicle debts, and ensuring efficient run sales department, through constant coaching and mentoring.
  • Optimised financial processes to increase efficiency.
  • Drove sales growth by cultivating strong ongoing client relationships.
  • Oversaw operational budgeting and forecasting activities, improving financial performance.

Sales Specialist

Harwoods Pulborough
Pulborough, West Sussex
09.2012 - 09.2017
  • Monitored industry trends, keeping the company competitive in the marketplace.
  • Led sales presentations to prospective clients for new vehicle purchases.
  • Managed key clients whilst ensuring superior service delivery standards.
  • Participated in trade shows and industry events, raising brand awareness.

Senior Sales Executive

Broad Bridge Heath Citroen
Broad Bridge Heath, West Sussex
02.2011 - 09.2012

Sales Executive

Gatwick Honda
Crawley, West Sussex
05.2008 - 02.2011
  • Change of dealership

Sales Executive

Sidlow Volkswagen
Horsham, West Sussex
06.2005 - 05.2008

Store Manager

Currys Superstores
Multiple
12.1998 - 06.2005

Education

GNVQ - Business Studies

The Weald Sixth Form College
Billingshurst
09.1996 - 06.1998

Skills

  • Target achievement
  • Financial budgeting
  • Assertive leadership
  • Sales reporting
  • Sales negotiation
  • Sales Management
  • Coaching and mentoring

Personal Qualities

  • I am a diligent, dedicated, and trustworthy professional. Throughout my career, I have honed the ability to engage with clients and colleagues in a calm yet professional manner, thereby earning their confidence and trust. Rather than adopting a flashy management or sales style, I prioritize encouraging employees to enhance on their current knowledge and skill set. This approach has enabled me to cultivate enduring, meaningful relationships with clients and staff, resulting in repeat on-going business and a unified, effective and profitable team.
  • I thrive under pressure and consistently achieve stringent targets and challenges, as evidenced throughout my career. Furthermore, I possess strong multitasking abilities, effectively balancing the demands of customers, colleagues, and myself.

Certification


  • Level 1 & 2 Passed for Jaguar Advanced Sales Program. Level 1 & 2 Passed Land Rover Sales Program.
  • Business Improvement Group – Land Rover Pulborough.
  • Business Manager Level One and Two – Land Rover Pulborough.
  • NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading and Management.

Timeline

Divisional Sales Manager/Operational Board Member

idpp consulting
04.2023 - 05.2025

Retail Development Sales Manager

Horsham Skoda
03.2021 - 04.2023

General Sales Manager

Harwoods Land Rover
09.2020 - 03.2021

Business & Transaction Manager

Harwoods Land Rover
09.2017 - 09.2020

Sales Specialist

Harwoods Pulborough
09.2012 - 09.2017

Senior Sales Executive

Broad Bridge Heath Citroen
02.2011 - 09.2012

Sales Executive

Gatwick Honda
05.2008 - 02.2011

Sales Executive

Sidlow Volkswagen
06.2005 - 05.2008

Store Manager

Currys Superstores
12.1998 - 06.2005

GNVQ - Business Studies

The Weald Sixth Form College
09.1996 - 06.1998

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James Holmes