Company Culture
Welcome to the family!
Innovation in UK Consumer Finance
WHO WE ARE DRIVES WHAT WE DO. Who We Are Our Brands A Brief History Meet Our Partners Wellbeing Our Wellbeing Tools Respect Sustainability Charity Giving Back What Our People Say Annual Awards Event Awards DSG Group | Company Culture Handbook
Richard Hoggart CEO
Who we are... DSG Group is a collective of forward thinking brands and investments, which specialises in UK motor finance and focuses on compliant technology-driven delivery. During our 31 years in the industry, we have remained at the forefront of technological innovation in motor finance broking, thanks to the ongoing development of our systems and software. Our dedication and continued success has allowed us to form longstanding relationships with traditional and challenger banks, as well as a number of large independent finance companies. Through these partnerships, our brands provide top-tier technology, compliance, and customer services to some of the largest and most reputable motor dealer groups across the UK, in addition to smaller independent motor dealers. Our group of companies are a powerhouse when it comes to being ahead of the curve.
Values Exceptional Service - The core of our mission is to deliver exceptional customer experiences and positive outcomes for anybody who interacts with a DSG Group brand. Knowledge and expertise - After 30+ years in the business we believe we’re best placed to know what technology solutions the UK consumer finance market needs, so we develop this technology in house. Forward thinking - We’re always innovating in traditional markets to make sure that our solutions are relevant and industry leading. We also invest in new ideas to ensure we’re always moving forward.
DSG Finance is is an independent motor finance provider, working at the forefront of the UK’s major motor dealer industry for more than 30 years.
Magnitude Finance provide bespoke funding, and advice, to customers looking for prestige vehicle finance solutions.
Connected Car Finance is a FinTech start-up that provides used car dealerships with better, more flexible finance options.
The mission for DSG FS has always been to be the first choice independent finance provider for the UK’s best motor dealers.
Magnitude’s car finance packages are tailored to meet the expectations and exact requirements of high net worth clients.
Made possible by new technology, this brand provides a slick, streamlined but most importantly straightforward finance service.
Through a combination of experience, commitment to customer service, and continued drive to innovate; DSG FS are able to present a range of finance solutions that deliver positive customer outcomes every time.
The online finance calculator allows users to create their own prestige car finance package specifically for a chosen vehicle, to get an immediate accurate finance example, or they can contact the team for something more bespoke.
Connected Car Finances uses cutting-edge technology to take all the hassle out of the process and enable used car dealerships get on with selling cars, not arranging finance.
Based in Scotland, Igneous Asset Finance provide a range of financing option for all wheeled assets, from cars to commercial vehicles, to give you exactly what you need, when you need it. Igneous’ mission is to reach new levels of service in loan solutions. They bring the personal touch back, with their high quality approach to asset finance, the fastest growing finance option for business. Whether you’re a sole trader in need of a new van, a company in need of a fleet of premium cars, or looking to buy your next prestige vehicle; Igneous has the solution.
Unity is a car finance lender that works, exclusively with DSG Financial Services to provide car finance to people across the UK. Unity believe the experience of car finance should be straightforward to get, affordable to repay and easy to manage. That's why they ensure that their customers get the service they need, to make this happen. Unity is committed to bringing ethics and transparency to car finance. They work with customers to make sure they are agreement from the start to the finish. That’s why they are called Unity.
Leasing.cars delivers affordable new car and van leasing solutions to personal and business customers. This brand originally called DSG Auto was established in 2003, but recently changed to Leasing.cars and has been offering low-rate, cheap business and personal leasing deals ever since. Leasing.cars partner with some of the UK’s best vehicle finance providers; couple this with the experience of the team and you can rest safe in the knowledge that your needs will be well looked after.
Flow has been built by real industry experts who are exceptional in their fields and all things car finance. They believe in fair finance that flows. That's why they put customers first and and why they have created a different kind of car finance, that's going to disrupt the industry. Flow took DSG Groups 30 years of knowledge, expertise and listening to customers and came up with an effortless car buying experience. And that starts with the small things, like being completely clear with how they communicate. Complicated car jargon is officially cancelled!
A Brief History Since the first garage opened in 1979 Deans Smith Garages (DSG, get it?) has evolved and transformed into a group of FinTech companies striving to help thousands of people finance the cars they want, through hire purchase agreements. In 1979 Brian Hoggart bought his first of many used car dealerships, where he sold Jeeps and Daihatsus; through the 1980’s the garage expanded and so did the fleet of dealerships across northern England. Throughout the summer holidays, a young Richard Hoggart would spend his days valeting cars across the lot. During 1989, the financing department was set up and started trading, where they aimed to fund the sales of cars from other garages using the hire purchasing model, the same model we use 30 years later. In the summer of 1990 after completing his A-levels, Richard joined the DSG team full time as an office junior working his way up the company, he became a field rep for Cheshire the next year where he drove to dealerships looking for opportunities to finance cars. However, while the finance department continued to grow, the financial crisis of 1990 heavily affected the dealerships. Interest rates soared! This meant that they had to stop lending their own money and become brokers. Many left during this time, but Richard trusted the new model and stayed on to become a manager. Throughout 1995 Richard began to recruit his team from other companies, such as Mark Gow who has been a director here for 20 years. The financing department struggled to grow under the dealership, so when Brian decided to sell the garages to Evans Halshaw, Richard saw this as an opportunity to break off from the company. He bought the shares from his father and the Royal Bank of Scotland and the finance department became independent (but we kept the name!). In 1999 Richard took over as managing director, Brian retired and Mark Gow became a director. Since the turn of the millennium we have been all about growth, more employees, more customers and more cars financed. In 1998 our revenue was £373,000, but today we reached £28 million. We have come tremendous lengths since the first garage in Hyde, and we don't plan on slowing down!
Richard Hoggart, Mark Gow (below) 1993
Meet Our Partners PeoplePlus are a leading skills and training business helping people to transform their lives and businesses through work, training, education and financial advice. They help people source and retain sustainable employment, whilst working with employers to develop work forces of the future! PeoplePlus develop a tailored approach to improving health and wellbeing, underpinned by evidence based theory and practice. Through PeoplePlus we have access to some amazing tools, including Westfield Health and Tonic 365. Westfield Health gives you access to counselling, a doctor line, mental health and wellbeing support and special discounts. Tonic 365 delivers results focused workplace wellness solutions that engage teams, motivate individuals and drive organisational performance.
nudge was founded by Jeremy and Tim. From 2001 to 2013, they helped hundreds of thousands of people in many of the world’s leading organisations to understand their reward packages. They discovered that very few people really understood their packages or how they could be used to improve their lives. But before people could even begin to get to grips with them, they had a more fundamental need. They needed to get in control of the rest of their finances - their savings, debts, bills, tax, mortgages, holidays and family commitments. Regardless of their age, wealth or confidence, people needed a trusted partner to help them get on top of their personal finances and achieve financial wellbeing. And there simply wasn’t one. That gave them an idea. And in 2013, that idea became nudge.
The Mossy Earth team shares a passion for the outdoors and the preservation of our natural world. As such, they work with one mission in mind, to restore wild ecosystems, support wildlife and biodiversity and help fight climate change. Mossy Earth helps people and businesses offset their carbon footprint by planting forests and rewilding environmentally and socially impoverished land. Together, we will reforest the empty glens and hillsides of the Scottish Highlands by planting native trees in areas where the forest cannot regenerate on its own. This will not only reduce our carbon footprint as a business but also restore ecosystems for the reintroduction of wildlife!
Wellbeing In 2019, DSG realised that it was time to make wellbeing a priority, so we partnered with PeoplePlus UK to inspire and empower our employees to be the best version of themselves that they can be! Through PeoplePlus, we have monthly 1 to 1 sessions (both online and face to face) with a wellbeing coach to help everyone achieve their goals quicker! As if that wasn't enough, every employee has access to a 24hr advice and information line, counsellors, mental health support, a doctor line that connects them to a real GP and a range of wellness rewards and discounts. And it wasn't just emotional and physical wellbeing that DSG decided to invest in. Through PeoplePlus, we also partnered with nudge to help educate our employees and improve their financial wellbeing. Fast forward to 2020 and Rob Woollen, former Director of Health and Wellbeing at People Plus was looking for a career change and has now been appointed as our very own Head of Wellbeing and Organisational Development instead! Rob has 27 years of experience which he will be using to help DSG maintain a healthier and happier workplace. Rob holds an MSc in Work and Wellbeing and was one of the first civilian fitness instructors to be recognised at Level 4 by the Register of Exercise Professionals! Rob is a fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and has trained hundreds of workplace wellbeing champions and mental health first responders, across the UK. Rob also contributed to the development of mental health and health improvement qualifications for the RSPH for years. He has been involved in a number of working groups of NICE guidelines - most recently as a Topic Expert Member on the Public Health Advisory Committee for the Mental Wellbeing at Work guidelines this year. Alongside this, he is a prizewinning speaker at international academic conferences, is regularly asked to speak by the BBC, and has been published in Occupational Health magazine.
In the last few years, Rob has completed Ironman triathlon (twice), a 96 mile mountain marathon (twice) and been “badged� in the nearest a civilian can get to Special Forces selection. He is adamant that nobody in DSG should ever feel they have nobody to turn to, so in addition to our counselling line he will be training a team of mental health champions early in 2021. At DSG we are not content with the bare minimum, so we are not stopping at a short training course. Our mental health champions will have access to clinical supervision, ongoing training, and suicide intervention skills. In addition to our wellbeing tools ,we also get involved and highlight the importance of mental health and wellbeing on our social media channels by showcasing our internal activities and participating in awareness days like Time to Talk, Stress Awareness Day and National Stress Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day.
Rob Woollen Head of Wellbeing and Organisational Development
Our Wellbeing Tools Westfield Health
Tonic 365
nudge
Westfield Health gives DSG employees access to a:
The Tonic delivers results focused workplace wellness solutions that engage teams, motivate individuals and drive organisational performance.
24 Hour Advice and Information Line Receive confidential guidance on medical, legal and domestic issues from experienced counsellors, lawyers and medical advisors.
Our wellness experts work with businesses to deliver creative healthy living initiatives designed and built around the needs of every company we work with.
Saving for a car? Your own place? A dream holiday? Well, we partnered with nudge so that you can make the most out of your money, overcome financial hurdles and take control of your life!
Our purpose is to coach individuals and teams towards lasting wellbeing results. Our mission is to go the extra mile in developing personal solutions for all individuals within businesses and to help our client companies design and communicate wellness programmes that engage, motivate and inspire colleagues.
nudge is the world’s leading financial wellbeing platform. Their global technology integrates news, data and behavioural psychology and they are 100% unbiased, with no hidden agenda
Tonic 365 focus on four essential areas of wellbeing:
This powerful, personal finance tool helps educate our employees so that they can budget, manage and completely change their relationship with money.
Togetherall - Is a safe online space if you're worried, stressed or anxious, or feeling low and just can’t cope, Togetherall is here to help. Doctorline - 24 hour access to a pracitising GP. You can even use the webcam consultation to show the doctor your symptom Westfield Rewards - Access to an exclusive rewards website . Enjoy special offers at over 1000 leading high street and online retailers.
ENERGY - Manage your energy and focus for peak performance at all times. RESILIENCE - Stay resourceful and make good decisions no matter how busy you are. SLEEP - Understand the secrets of effective rest, recovery and balance in life. NUTRITION - Make healthy eating easy with simple plans and strategies.
We have 125 employees at DSG and 117 of them use the nudge tool to improve their financial wellbeing, so make sure you give it a go.
We Respect One Another At DSG, we believe respecting each other is everything. We encourage a relaxed but professional working environment but what’s more, we want every person that walks through our doors to feel welcome. We treat each other as peers but understand boundaries. That’s why we require focus, self-respect, dignity and tolerance from all our people. We encourage our people to be the best versions of themselves they can be. That's why we have set a high standard and created a culture that doesn't have room for rudeness, bad language or bad behaviour of any kind. We are and have always been committed to creating a safe space and ensuring an inclusive environment for our lesbian, gay, bi, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) employees. Our team is made up of beautiful people from all walks of life because it’s fundamental that DSG consistently strives to maintain a diverse culture. We want our workspace to reflect the world we live in and be a place where every one feels a sense of belonging and no one feels discriminated against, left out or uncomfortable because of their sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs or age. It is an energetic and busy working environment but our office occupies 3 large buildings at our HQ in Cheadle - the extra space creates a brighter and better working environment for everyone. And we’re growing even more! We have ambitious plans for the future and they involve dominating the motor finance industry even further, using our tried and tested traditional methods and innovative digital development tools over the next 3 years. There will be plenty of opportunities for the right candidate to progress as we continue to invest and put back into the company and change the way motor finance is viewed in the UK.
Sustainability It's no secret that working in the motor finance industry means we put a lot of cars on the road. It was this realisation and our growing concerns about climate change and the state of our planet, that motivated us to look into how we could become more sustainable as a business and counter the carbon footprint created by our dayto-day operations. That's how we found Mossy Earth. Now, for every car financed through Unity AND Flow, Mossy Earth have pledged to plant a tree on behalf of the customer. Once it's sprouted, our customers will receive a photo of the planted tree and GPS co-ordinates so that they can track their tree whenever they want! We know it will take a lot of trees to truly make a big difference but we have to start somewhere, and we think this is the best way we can begin to give back. And we didn't want to stop there! We enforced a plastic water bottle ban in the office and partnered with Business Waste to recycle our glass, dry mixed and plastic waste. We now have a range of recycling bins across our HQ and our recycling is collected every fortnight, which will reduce our office landfill by a huge amount! To help reinforce our plastic water bottle ban, we now have shiny new sustainable water bottles for each employee, as well as travel mugs that are on the way. We hope this will encourage our employees to ditch the takeaway coffees on their morning commute! We also have electric car chargers installed at our HQ for our electric car owners. We hope that by providing this feature, more of our employees are encouraged to consider a more environmentally friendly option when purchasing a car! We also make sure we show our support and help raise awareness for the environment annually, by getting involved in awareness days such as Recycle Week, Global Recycling Day and more!
Charity We've always been big on giving back and raising awareness for causes that are close to our hearts. That's why every year, we try and raise money for a different charity/charities and we encourage all our people to do the same! In 2017, 21 homeless people died in Manchester and recently new figures revealed that one in 47 children in Manchester are now homeless. That's why, we decided to support Back on Track Manchester last year and with permission and lyrical help from the Band Aid Trust, we produced our own cover of 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' to help raise awareness of the crisis. We also did something a bit different last year and instead of doing our usual DSG raffle over the holiday period, we asked all team members to bring in an item for the homeless (sleeping bags, socks, duvets) in exchange for one of the raffle items instead. We get involved in annual charity days like Macmillan Coffee Morning to raise money for Cancer Research and Christmas Jumper Day to show support and help raise awareness for Save the Children UK. We are always happy to support our employees with their personal charity involvement and fundraising events and we encourage everyone in the workplace to get behind them. In 2020, we donated ÂŁ500 to 20 smaller charities that were selected by our people and our aim is to donate even more in 2021 and beyond!
Giving Back
We don't just give back to the charities and causes that we care about! We also make sure that we give back to our DSG family. After all, we wouldn't be the business we are today, without them! Each and everyone of our people have access to a range of brilliant benefits through DSG including: Their birthday off. Life insurance. Free team lunches. Wellbeing tools & 24/7 mental health support. Annual Awards Event. Exclusive access to shows in our executive box at the MEN arena In addition to the above, DSG is also big on rewarding loyalty. We award our people for long service, including gifting a Tag Heuer watch to every person who reaches their 10 years service and a trip to anywhere in the world (family included) when you hit the 20 year service milestone! DSG have even been known to spontaneously reward high achieving employees for their performance with trips abroad and last year, for Random Acts of Kindness Day, we had food vendor Baristaroo pop by to provide free breakfast for all our people! In addition to that, in 2019, DSG took the whole company to Portugal as a treat! We pride ourselves on only hiring the best people which is why we always try to promote internally. There's room for all our people to progress when they demonstrate their dedication and commitment to DSG.
What Our People Say At DSG we pride ourselves on only hiring the best people. That is why we always put them first. Although our team has grown, many of our people have been with us for a long time. That's why we call them our DSG family, because that's how we really feel! But what is it that makes people stay with DSG? We spoke to two long-standing members of our team, Hayley Mcintyre and Sam McDonald and asked them to tell us, in their own words, why they have remained loyal to us for so long. Hayley had this to say... "I started DSG at 17 as a process inputter and after around a year I was already hungry to progress. A job for an internal sales position came up for our sister company 'Unity' and I applied. This is where I then picked up and developed most of my skills, from underwriting, payouts and sales. From here on, when other opportunities arose I put myself forward again and was successful moving back onto the DSG side as an account manager, finally finding my job in the end of managing the internal sales department. DSG has always given me a fair opportunity to apply and develop within the company and have supported me on each new role I have taken on. DSG is a fantastic company to work for, who look to encourage young people to develop and shine. It is not just a place for a job, its a place to develop a career. They make you feel valued" Sam told us...
"I was given opportunities. From starting out at DSG initially moving onto the payouts team from a role of “sales co-ordinator� (which at the time was operational administrative work within the underwriting team). After some time in payouts building on my role and working closely with others within the company, I was given the opportunity to move into compliance to build on a career path which was just starting out. I have stayed so long not only because of the opportunities I have been given, but also the people I have worked with. Within each department I have worked in I have met great people who can give you guidance to drive you forward, support you when you have little faith in yourself and also make you laugh and brighten your day just when you need it most! It provides for a comfortable working environment and also improves team morale as well as efficiencies. I was soon given the opportunity to move into compliance when the FCA began as the industry regulator. Within compliance I was able to expand my knowledge and, with the backing of my boss, constantly push myself to learn more and start to build a career."
Annual Awards Event We hold our internal awards event at the end of every year to recognise the employees who really bring our company values to life, and to reward their achievements. The awards are not only the perfect opportunity for our people to see how much we appreciate them but they are also a great way of rounding up the year and looking at how much we, as a business, have grown and where we're heading. We trust our teams and know that they all bring something different to DSG, that's why we let them vote for each other and decide who has gone above and beyond each year. We celebrate with all our teams in style at The Monastery in Gorton. The evening starts with drinks in the welcome wing and after we sit down to a wonderful three course meal in the stunning surroundings of The Great Nave. Awards are then given out for the duration of the dinner and we end the evening, joining all the directors on the dance floor into the early hours!
Awards The DSG group is a powerhouse when it comes to being ahead of the curve, and since 2009 we have won some of the most prestigious awards in finance to prove it. 2013 Outstanding Introducer - Northridge 2014 Broker Of The Year -F&I Awards Broke Of The Year - Alphera Fnancial Services Valued Partner - MoneyWay Outstanding Introducer - Northridge 2015 Outstanding Introducer - Northridge 2016 Platinum Partner - Aldemore Outstanding Introducer - Northridge And many, many more! We are so proud to be recognised for the hard work that each of our brands put in every day. We're also big advocates of the Car Finance Awards each year. So much so that our CEO Richard is part of the judging panel. Many of our own people have even been shortlisted for/won individual awards from awarding bodies such as Car Finance Awards and Women In Credit Awards. In 2020, we won our sixth consecutive Outstanding Introducer award from Northridge Finance for the outstanding level of new business introduced throughout the year and Richard won the Car Finance Business Leader of the Year award at the Car Finance Awards.