Aycliffe Today Business Issue 6 | Page 19

Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 19 SHERWOODS MEAN BUSINESS Sherwoods of Darlington say they’re bringing the B2B side of their business into the 21st Century with a key new member of staff. The family group have appointed new B2B sales consultant Katie Messenger, who brings a wealth of business marketing experience to the County Durham firm. "We're taking on a much more account management approach we're taking the B2B side of our business into the 21st Century, if you like. Katie, originally from Ipswich, has 11 years' experience in the motoring industry, having previously worked with brands like BMW, Mini, Ferrari, Maserati and Bentley. "We want to communicate more with our clients, ensure they're happy with the service they get all the time, not just when we make the sale. She relocated to the North East in recent years and has just taken up her new B2B sales role with Sherwoods. "It's an exciting, new opportunity for me and I'm relishing the challenge," says Katie. "Selling cars is a real passion of mine, but customer care is at the heart of it fundamentally and I enjoy working with clients, getting to know them personally and their businesses." Sherwoods have a range of business vehicles for lease or contract hire, and have clients ranging from local florists and butchers to some of the larger industrial and commercial businesses in County Durham. The firm's managing director Simon MacConachie said: "Katie isn't just here to sell cars, she's here to provide a professional customer contact for existing and potential customers "We're a family business and we like to have long-term established relationships, so when our customers call us, it's like one of our friends calling. "Of course, we have to be as competitive as everyone else, but those family values are still the backbone of the business and our customers are genuinely important to us. "We go over and above for our customers - Katie is here to make sure that extends to our B2B clients." The Sherwoods group, established in 1928, has dealerships in Stockton and Northallerton as well as Darlington, and employs more than 150 people, with an annual turnover in excess of £45m. • Businesses interested in talking to Katie about contract hire and leasing can call her on 01325 466155 or email: b2b@ sherwoodsgroup.co.uk