Local MP Stephen Lloyd visits Birchwood Group in recognition of investment in young people

The automotive sector has experienced extreme financial pressures since 2008 which has resulted in many dealerships reducing staffing levels or going out of business.

Birchwood Group has not been immune from these pressures and has had to make difficult cost cutting measures to ensure the business remains viable and moves towards a profitable future. These steps have been vindicated with increasing market share and a continuing move the ranks of the Motor Trader Top 200 UK Franchised dealers.

During 2011 the senior management team enjoyed a visit from Stephen Lloyd the MP for Eastbourne, during which Stephen out lined his ambitious plans to secure 100 apprenticeships in 100 days. The Birchwood team found this visit inspiring and set themselves a target to support Stephen Lloyds initiative and help invest in the future of Eastbourne and the surrounding areas.

The result of that inspiration and support from Stephen is that Birchwood Group has now recruited 4 new apprentices and 3 vocational trainees, 5 of whom are based at the Eastbourne dealerships.  These new employees are all undergoing vocational and manufacturer training which will result in recognised qualifications within a three year period.

Pete Parker, Birchwood Operations Director said ‘Like most, we are fighting hard during this exceptionally difficult economy to grow our business. I am enormously proud that during this time we are simultaneously able to plan into the future by developing young talent and safeguarding the quality of our service.’

He added ‘Stephen’s visit was the catalyst for the senior management team to challenge our approach to recruiting and has resulted in some great local talent joining our teams. We fully intend to continue investing in our local community in this way’

Stephen Lloyd added: ‘This is tremendous news from Birchwood Group. They promised to do all they could to support my ongoing apprenticeships initiative and with this recruitment drive, they’ve really gone that extra mile. Another superb example of Eastbourne businesses working together to secure jobs for our town. Just brilliant!”

To celebrate this achievement Ian Sexton Birchwood MD and Pete Parker are hosting a reception for all the apprentices and trainees as part of their induction process and they are delighted that Stephen will be attending this reception to meet the team.
 
Please direct any enquiries to: Paula Kemp Birchwood Group Manager- mobile 07710973967 

Contact Information

Paula Kemp

Marketing Manager

Birchwood Group

paula.kemp@birchwoodford.co.uk