Then and now… Will Voisey

In the latest instalment of Bdaily's Then and now series, Will Voisey, managing director of Harrogate-based Synergy Car Leasing, reflects on his career, from his first role to the present day, highlighting the lessons he has learned from his personal and professional evolution.

What does your role entail?

My day is varied, and I have no problems rolling my sleeves up and getting stuck into jobs in every area of the business. 

My overall role is to ensure the business hits its objectives. 

This means making sure we have the right staff, tools and opportunities to achieve our targets. 

This involves working closely with manufacturers and finance providers to find new offers and ensuring we have the technology and compliance tools to communicate these effectively.

Did you always want to work in the motor industry? Or did you have other ambitions when you were growing up?

Absolutely not. 

When I left school, I hadn’t worked out what I wanted to do for a career. 

My passion was sport, and I thought a career in sports science was the way to go. 

I never went to university, however, and I fell into the motor trade by chance. And I have never left. 

What was your first job – and did you enjoy it?

After the usual paper round and working in the village pub, my first ‘proper job’ was as a trainee sales executive at Appleyard MG Rover, in Leeds. 

With it being the final year of MG Rover trading, it was a tough place to learn the basic skills required to work in the motor trade, so I decided to move on.

I then joined MINI, just after the launch with BMW, which quickly became the most enjoyable job going.

I was selling a car that everyone wanted and meeting some great people, some of whom are still customers today.

Were there any mentors or individuals who helped shape your career? And are you still applying lessons you learned then to your workforce of today?

I’ve only ever had three bosses: Paul S at MG Rover; Geoff at MINI; and Paul P, when I joined Synergy.

I learned a lot from each of them.

All were fairly tough characters with a long history in the motor trade. 

That is what I needed in a boss, as they helped me grow skills to develop myself. 

I now pass this on, as I find it makes a real impact in pushing staff out of their comfort zones.  

What attracted you to the motor sector?

Applying to MG Rover was a snap decision, as I felt it would be cool to sell cars. 

As well as being cool, it is also pretty rewarding, as customers are spending a lot of money, and it is great to help find the right vehicle for them.

How do you feel you’ve changed as a person over the years? Have career roles brought new dimensions to your personality?

I have had to push myself and adapt my personality to ensure I can be successful. 

I have always stayed true to myself, as I never want to be seen as a dodgy car salesperson.

I will always do my best for customers, and I want the best outcome for them.

However, I have had to learn when to be direct and say no to something or someone. 

Occasionally, things don't go to plan, and often it's not your fault.

I have had to grow a thick skin to deal with those situations.

Learning not to let one tough day affect the next has been invaluable. 

Learning and adapting never stops, and I am always looking at how I can improve who I am and what I do.

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