Matthew Hall
Oundle,Northants
Summary
Results-driven Business Leader experienced in leadership and decision-making. Achieved organisational growth through strategic business process improvements, sales strategy development, and effective customer relationship management. Focused on fostering innovation and operational excellence within forward-thinking companies.
Overview
4
4
years of post-secondary education
30
30
years of professional experience
Work history
Managing director
Rockingham Cars Limited
Corby, Northamptonshire
2020.01 - Current
- Oversaw financial and operational control across Fiat, Abarth, Mazda, and Leapmotor franchises, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
- Consistently delivered profit and return for shareholders
- Drove operational excellence to achieve top quartile customer satisfaction, sales, and return on sales.
- Formulated strategies to equip leadership and teams to navigate macroeconomic and industry challenges effectively.
- Manage tight financial and cost control overseeing all procurement
- Managed the annual budgeting process and conducted quarterly reviews and rebudgeting.
- Monthly management accounts reviews with leadership team
- Develop accurate daily KPI reporting aiding
- Successfully completed buyout of major shareholder in 2021 including paying down debt within 2 years.
- Restructured the business, closing one site and successfully launching Leapmotor in 2025
- Manage relationships with key stakeholders including, Banks, OEM's, Auditors and Compliance
- Implement customer loyalty strategies further enhancing reputation where the business currently outperforms its peers.
- Develop and implement strategies to boost team retention, putting the team at the centre of driving customer experience.
- Manage procurement and implementation of Pinewood DMS
- Develop and implement Marketing initiatives across all franchise and business units including websites
- Oversaw procurement and implementation of company website, improving customer engagement.
- Conduct annual pay reviews
- Recruited and managed senior staff with focus on delivering clear results.
- Maintained organisational compliance with applicable legislation and regulations.
- Directed administration and optimisation of financial operations, payroll and accounting processes.
- Partnered with management team to optimise operations and reduce costs.
- Established robust controls for financial administration and business management, enhancing overall operational integrity.
- Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
- Established budgets based on historical, current and forecasted business data.
- Spearheaded strategic planning and decision-making processes aligning with mission and stakeholder interests.
- Reviewed reports from subordinate management to identify areas of opportunity.
- Identified and resolved operational issues impacting productivity, performance or profitability.
- Created and led successful business culture focused on performance and customer experience.
Joint Managing Director
Rockingham Cars
Corby, Northamptonshire
2013.01 - 2019.01
- Worked with board of directors to establish objectives and decisively lead operations.
- Oversaw financial operations for fiscal control and profitability.
- Directed administration and optimisation of financial operations, payroll and accounting processes.
- Established budgets based on historical, current and forecasted business data.
- Developed effective business strategies for sustained growth.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement, driving operational excellence.
- Cultivated a performance-driven business culture prioritising customer experience.
- Managed daily operations of 35 employees, inspiring teams to surpass objectives.
- Built a harmonious work environment with strong leadership skills.
- Elevated staff morale through targeted communication and engagement initiatives.
- Delivered high-quality services by maintaining customer focus at all times.
- Established budgets based on historical, current and forecasted business data.
General Manager
Rockingham Cars
Corby, Northamptonshire
2007.03 - 2013.01
- Successfully launched the Mazda franchise including recruiting, training and managing a new team
- Oversaw day-to-day operations of established team, identifying and implementing improvements to enhance operational effectiveness
- Managed daily cash controls post-2008 banking crisis, serving as key contact with banking partners to maintain financial stability
- Implement controls across the business including trade policy, HR, health and safety
- Oversaw relocation of business to current site, managing architects, builders, OEM, and various associated contractors to ensure seamless transition
General Manager
David Lloyd Leisure
London
2003.04 - 2007.02
- Managed a team of over 100 staff members and supported 8,000+ members.
- Recruited and managed six direct reports across departments including sales, operations, food & beverage, health & fitness, and racquet sports, enhancing cross-departmental collaboration.
- Oversaw all aspects of daily operations, ensuring smooth running of the organisation.
- Day-to-day management of private health clubs in the Greater London region
- Liaised with the central management team to drive financial performance.
- Successfully negotiated contracts with suppliers to reduce costs.
- Implemented robust HR policies and procedures, leading to improved staff retention.
- Created a positive work environment that fostered high staff morale and increased productivity.
- Regularly reviewed performance data, driving continuous improvement efforts.
- Achieved customer satisfaction with regular feedback and improvement sessions.
Financial Recruitment Consultant
Witan Jardine
London
2001.04 - 2003.04
- As part of a specialist Financial recruitment team recruiting Fully Qualified Accountants within the Investment Banking arena
- Built relationships with key UK banks including Barclays Capital, HSBC, RBS / Natwest and Lloyds
- Negotiated employment terms between candidates and clients, achieving mutually beneficial agreements.
- Sourced potential candidates for client requirements through targeted outreach and networking.
- Enhanced candidate database by actively reaching out to prospective talent on professional networking platforms.
- Coordinated interview schedules between candidates and clients, streamlining communication for efficient hiring.
- Collaborated closely with other consultants within the agency for meeting larger client demands.
- Offered guidance around interview preparation techniques to registered candidates, enhancing their chances of success.
- Maintained regular follow-up with placed candidates to ensure their smooth transition into new roles.
- Provided constructive feedback to unsuccessful candidates post interviews, aiding their future job search efforts.
- Upheld strict confidentiality of all client and candidate information as per data protection guidelines.
Sales Executive / Branch Manager
Stratstone of Mayfair
London
1996.10 - 2001.03
- Promoted to full Sales Executive within six months
- Managed key client accounts, ensuring service excellence and fostering long-term partnerships.
- Navigated challenging negotiations, achieving successful deal closure without compromising on profitability.
- Delivered high-quality product demonstrations, enhancing customer engagement.
- Maintained an extensive knowledge of all products offered, assisting in informative customer interaction.
- Established relationships with leadership team, enabling launch of two satellite showrooms in City and Chelsea.
- Initially selected as a junior Sales Advisor within the Jaguar team in prestigious Mayfair showroom
- Represented the business at various OEM and Pendragon group marketing meetings
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Leisure Management
Southampton Institute of Higher Education (Now Solent Uni)
Southampton 1992.10 - 1996.05
Skills
- Strategic decision-making
- Operational strategy
- Financial planning
- Revenue growth strategies
- Process improvement
- Change management
- Customer relationship management
- Vision casting
- Leadership engagement
Affiliations
- An active individual and regular gym participant.
- Passion for the mountains and avid skier, snowboarder and mountaineer
- Keen runner and cyclist
- Accomplished cook always looking to try new cuisines
Accomplishments
- Currently sit on Franchise Board for Fiat/ Abarth representing the wider network in quarterly discussions with OEM on strategy, operations and profitability
- Currently sit on Mazda Dealer Forum representing the wider network in quarterly discussion with OEM board on strategy and operational issues.
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References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Managing director
Rockingham Cars Limited
2020.01 - Current
Joint Managing Director
Rockingham Cars
2013.01 - 2019.01
General Manager
Rockingham Cars
2007.03 - 2013.01
General Manager
David Lloyd Leisure
2003.04 - 2007.02
Financial Recruitment Consultant
Witan Jardine
2001.04 - 2003.04
Sales Executive / Branch Manager
Stratstone of Mayfair
1996.10 - 2001.03
Bachelor of Arts - Leisure Management
Southampton Institute of Higher Education (Now Solent Uni)
1992.10 - 1996.05