The service manager at Bowker BMW and MINI on Trident Park in Blackburn has been crowned the best in the country.
Stewart Rose from Clitheroe has beaten more than 150 other BMW aftersales managers from throughout the UK to win the title National Service Manager of the Year 2016.
The award recognises the Stewart’s consistent aftersales performance across a wide selection of criteria including parts retailing; sales achievement; customer satisfaction; staff development; and, future proofing the business.
The win was announced at the BMW Aftersales Conference last week. The event was hosted by TV comedian Henning Wein The award was presented by Richard Price in front of hundreds of invited guests. Stewart also received a safari trip to South Africa.
At the same ceremony, Stewart’s colleague Simon Coates was a finalist in the category of National Parts Manager. Stewart’s award follows on from another national accolade last month when Bowker BMW and MINI in Blackburn was crowned BMW UK Aftersales Retailer of the Year.
Stewart Rose said: “It has been a wonderful few weeks of awards success for Bowker Blackburn. And I’m especially proud that aftersales has been recognised both as a team and now personally.
“We have a very experienced and focused team who deliver excellent results for the business and an outstanding experience for our customers. I’m proud and delighted that our common sense approach to creating an award-winning aftersales service has been recognised.”
Stewart has worked with Bowker BMW for 32 years. He joined as an apprentice when the centre was based in Accrington back in 1985.
Since then, he’s fulfilled many roles including apprentice technician, workshop foreman, technical advisor, workshop controller and now service manager.
Stewart is also Bowker Motor Group’s liaison with Blackburn College. He develops his personal interest in the apprentice programme in all areas of the business.
Bowker Blackburn managing director Chris Eccles said,
“This is a richly deserved award for Stewart. Aftersales is a hugely important part of the Bowker Blackburn success story. I know that Stewart values the support of a wonderful team he has built around him. And they all enjoyed the recent aftersales retailer award.
“But Stewart’s personal hardworking contribution and immense organisational experience cannot be overstated. We’re all delighted he’s been recognised!”
Bowker Blackburn is one of the most awarded BMW centres in the country. Over the last four years the dealership has amassed accolades including BMW Retailer of the Year Award for Corporate Sales; Customer Service Retailer of the Year; Aftersales Team of the Year; BMW UK Local Hero; Dealer Principal of the Year title in both the Motor Trader Awards and AM awards simultaneously; and, BMW Leasing Star of the Year for best customer service to the leasing industry.