Why first impressions count for Eagle Chauffeuring
FEATURE
Miles better – Eagle Chauffering founder Babar Malik at their HQ in Thornaby Town Hall.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Why first impressions count for Eagle Chauffeuring
First impressions matter in business – and that’ s exactly what a Teessidebased chauffeuring company prides itself on. Eagle Chauffeuring offers a premium transport and concierge service to clients across the North-East and beyond.
The brainchild of its founder, Babar Malik, it revives the popular Eagle Taxis brand that his father Mohammed Malik ran from Thornaby for decades.
But this Eagle is soaring in the premium market – and after just a few months in business, it’ s been a journey that’ s already surpassed Babar’ s expectations.
Proudly based on Teesside, Eagle Chauffeuring has its own five-strong team of drivers, although teaming up with other North-East companies sees its regional figure rise to 16.
However, by partnering with other prestigious chauffeuring companies across the UK, Eagle can also provide transport in big cities such as London, Manchester and Newcastle – and has access to a fleet of 40 classy Mercedes-Benz V vehicles.
Having been in business for nearly a year, Eagle is already building a big reputation for quality and reliability.
And as Babar talks to Tees Business in a room in historic Thornaby Town Hall, where Eagle Chauffeuring has its Teesside base, he can’ t emphasise enough how much he wants to give clients a fantastic first impression.
He said:“ Take a big pharmaceutical company like Fuji Film, for example. They have a lot of clients coming here from all over the world, so they need someone like me to go to the airport, properly suited and booted, in a top- notch, spotlessly clean car and make them feel welcome from the start.
“ We’ re the first image of your business when you’ ve got a client coming, so it’ s important we get it right.”
And it seems Eagle DOES get it right, judging by the clients it has already transported and the expanding demand for its services.
Another major customer is Endolys, which is developing a £ 120m plastic film recycling facility at the former Cleveland Bridge site in Darlington.
Eagle Chauffeuring has already picked up and driven to their destinations two notable Endolys directors – Dame Vivienne Cox CBE, whose impressive business CV includes a successful 28-year career with BP, and the former Egyptian minister of petroleum and mineral resources, Osama Kamal.
But whether it’ s picking clients up from an airport or railway station, Babar and his team pride themselves on getting things right from the start.
He said:“ I picked a millionaire up from Darlington train station recently and made sure I was ready for them the moment they set foot off the train.
“ By greeting them straight away, they were like‘ wow, what a service’.
“ When we pick a client up, a positive image for your company is already in place. When you give us the job, I take it upon myself to ensure we give the best first impression.”
A former offshore worker in oil and gas, dad-of-two Babar admits it’ s a source of pride he can keep the Eagle name going that his dad worked so hard to establish.
He’ s had lots of support from family and friends too, especially in establishing a strong website and social media presence. Babar, 35, usually wears a three-piece suit when on duty –“ I’ ve had clients tell me the chauffeur’ s better dressed than they are,” he smiles.
And he admits the Eagle Chauffeuring journey is already going better than expected and he’ s excited by what lies ahead, with work for Teesside University, Newcastle United and Sunderland football clubs and at the Top Influencer Awards in Newcastle in May all on the agenda.
He said:“ We didn’ t really get going until last August because there was a lot to get in place but, luckily for me, everyone I’ ve worked with and who’ s guided me have all been behind the idea.
“ I just want businesses to know what we can provide. We’ re confident that with the service we offer – and because we’ re very price-friendly – anyone who uses us will want to use us again because we go the extra mile.”
Visit eaglechauffeuringltd. co. uk
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