Lifestyle Europe Supports IMI Skillmiles

Fast-growing automotive retailer, Lifestyle Europe Ltd, is pleased to support the IMI’s new SkillMiles initiative, an awards scheme that gives points to members for supporting training. The Institute for the Motor Industry’s new scheme recognises each member’s financial and time commitment in supporting industry training. There are four levels of recognition: bronze, silver, gold and platinum.

Once a business or individual is registered via the scheme’s dedicated web-site at www.motor.org.uk/skillmiles, they can earn ‘SkillMiles’ points for particular activities which are then given a value by the IMI. These activities include participation on working groups or loan of equipment in addition to financial contributions in support of the scheme.

The new initiative now runs jointly with the Institute’s established 'Proud to be Professional' campaign which promotes the importance of ethical behaviour and best practice within industry, improving the sector’s reputation with consumers. The IMI is highlighting the SkillMiles scheme at its annual dinner at the Café Royal in London on March 11th and is committed to increasing apprentice numbers by 40,000 across the industry over the next five years. The Institute has reduced its apprenticeship administration charges by 40%, scrapped the £20 registration fee, leaving a single fee payable upon completion of the apprenticeship of just £30 per person. The launch of SkillMiles scheme is sure to have a positive effect on boosting the amount of apprentices joining the automotive sector.

As a non executive Director on the Main Board of the Institute of Motor Industry – Marc Matthew wanted to be amongst one of the first to support the all new SkillMiles initiative officially launched on the 1st February at Fanshaws, the IMI HQ. Marc, who is also the Executive Chairman of multi franchised dealer group Lifestyle Europe Limited, and Chairman of the Retail Automotive Alliance Limited, is a strong supporter of all initiatives supporting the industry and the recognition of staff development.

The offer made to the IMI SkillMiles scheme on behalf of Lifestyle Europe Limited instantly gains SILVER status for the next twelve months. Marc said: “It is a pleasure to help and support those who help us improve our status and the stature of our industry, in particular our team members who assist our customers everyday, following dedicated training to their specific role. The commitment from our Company to training and development is huge and often not credited by the government in recognizing all the professional development advancements we put into our team. We are extremely pleased to support the IMI SkillMiles initiative.”

Lifestyle Europe excels at the AM Awards

Lifestyle Europe Limited has recently excelled at the prestigious 'Automotive Management Awards 2008' winning not one prize but two. Marc Matthew, Chairman and Peter Isted Managing Director of multi franchised dealer Group Lifestyle Europe Ltd, were on hand to receive the 'Retailer of the Year 2008' award and the Retail Group 2008 (for up to 10 sites) award, a terrific achievement as the Company was competing against other finalists in the ‘Best Retail Group category and no fewer than 17 competitors in the ‘Retailer of the 2008’ group.

This year, the 'AM Awards 2008' were held at the ICC in Birmingham on the evening of February 27.th Around 1,300 people attended the black tie awards ceremony which was hosted by TV personality Huw Edwards. one of the most important events in the UK’s automotive retail industry calendar and entering into the AM Awards 2008 enables firms to compete against the best of the very best, which gives staff encouragement showing them that they are amongst the finest people in the business. A win helps to raise the Company’s profile and reputation with its valued customers.

Carter & Carter, the appointed AM Awards auditor, visits every Company that has entered one of the seven award categories to gain as much information as possible on performance, review them in place and see planning which went into the areas judged. The auditor will then perform a full assessment of shortlisted Companies. Their independent appraisal focuses on key aspects of the business.

Lifestyle Europe Ltd’s Chairman and Managing Director were understandably delighted at the news of company winning in two categories. Marc Matthew said “What an amazing achievement. We are both thrilled and extremely proud to have won both these awards at the Automotive Management annual ceremony 2008. Amongst outstanding competition, we were overwhelmed to have won the ‘Best Retail Dealer Group’ all the entries, but in addition to be rewarded with the ‘Retailer of the Year 2008’ was really the cherry on cake. We have accepted the awards on behalf of our team and have dedicated the honors to our people’s outstanding performance. Peter and I are incredibly proud of the way our team has served the Company, customers and indeed each other. This is an immensely proud moment in the history of Lifestyle.”