10:24 am, July 19, 2019
CHARLES Hurst Group, Northern Ireland’s biggest car retailer, has appointed a new head of business at its £8 million Jaguar and Land Rover base.
Alan Thompson, who joined Charles Hurst in 2005 as franchise manager for Nissan across multiple sites, joins the JLR team almost a year after the company first opened the impressive 40,000 sq ft luxury showroom.
Since then, more than 20 new roles have been created at the premium franchise across technical, sales and management areas in what is now among the UK and Ireland’s top-performing JLR showrooms.
Charles Hurst Group operations director, Colin McNab, said: ‘I’m delighted to confirm Alan’s appointment to the top team at Jaguar Land Rover Belfast.
Unrivalled customer service
‘A true leader with a warm and welcoming personality, I believe that his passion and commitment for this outstanding premium brand, along with his experience and capability, will continue to develop our strength within the industry and our priority to ensure unrivalled customer service and care.’
Thompson, who is from Ballyclare, started his motor industry career in 1986, joining Savills Vauxhall as part of a management fast-track programme before progressing to business manager within 10 years.
In 2005, he moved to the role of franchise manager at Charles Hurst Nissan, overseeing the strategic development of the business across sites in Belfast, Newtownabbey and Newtownards and managing a team of over 60 staff.
He said: ‘Jaguar Land Rover is an exciting, forward-looking and ambitious brand and I’m excited about the possibilities ahead.
‘The investment made to date by Charles Hurst in the site, and in our people, reflects the huge strength of our commitment to these world-class, innovative brands and our pledge to provide the very best for our customers and staff.’
Part of the Lookers Group, Charles Hurst is the north’s largest motor retailer, representing 20 brands across seven sites including its 20-acre Belfast headquarters, the largest automotive park in Europe.
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