Luke Thornton

Since joining Delaceys full-time in July 2018 as a Service Advisor and Car Salesman, I have developed a versatile skill set covering customer relations, team management and up-selling. I act as the main point of contact for customers, overseeing their journey from start to finish. My responsibilities include coordinating service and repair work, managing invoicing and parts orders, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations, including team delegation and vehicle valeting.

In sales, I pride myself in my knowledge and sales of prestige vehicles such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, and Porsche. And as of recently, refrigerated commercial vehicles. My passion for the vehicles I sell, has allowed me to be the top performing sales person within the business consistently during my time at Delaceys. I ensure all vehicles meet the highest standards, maintain comprehensive and up-to-date product knowledge, and build strong relationships with both new and returning customers. My dedication to delivering exceptional service has enabled me to retain loyal clients and secure repeat business.

By reducing costs and upselling additional services, I consistently contribute to the business's profitability. I also go the extra mile—quite literally—by personally delivering sold vehicles nationwide, reinforcing customer satisfaction and trust.

During my time with JR Ski Racing, I secured a car valeting role at Delaceys of Huddersfield during the summer months while back home. Alongside my primary responsibilities as a car valeter, I took on the additional task of collecting and delivering customer vehicles. This opportunity enabled me to build strong relationships with customers, which ignited my passion for car sales and delivering exceptional customer service—a passion that has driven my career ever since.

After competing at an international level in ski racing, I was eager to explore a new role within the sport. My first real experience in outdoor ski coaching began in July 2016, when I spent a week in Tignes, France, coaching a group of young athletes aiming to join the national junior team. Following that initial week, I joined JR Ski Racing and completed my coaching qualifications, enabling me to coach both in the UK and across Europe.

I went on to lead the junior race team for two seasons, organising training camps and races across Europe, primarily in France, Italy, and Austria. In addition to creating and running a training program on the slopes, my role at JR Ski Racing involved; managing the transportation of athletes, running fitness and feedback sessions, liaising with local teams and resort staff to arrange slope closures for training days, and building strong relationships with athletes' parents.

This role significantly enhanced my communication skills, time management, teamwork, and adaptability.

I began working at a local IT recruitment firm, BPM Tech, in the summer of 2014, after completing my GCSEs. Initially, my role involved repairing their database and transferring people's details to the new software. I then continued working for the company during my school holidays, and my responsibilities expanded to resourcing. This involved searching job boards for CVs that matched various job criteria, then contacting potential candidates to discuss roles suited to their skill sets.

This opportunity to gain work experience in a professional 9-to-5 environment proved invaluable, allowing me to develop key skills such as communication and punctuality.