Long-serving employees are the backbone of our business

“I then went to work for The Tuckwell Group, who are a John Deere dealer in East Anglia. This was the start of my John Deere journey. We moved there for four years before moving back to Lichfield to work for Auto Farm Tractors in Derby. Again, John Deere dealers who evolved into Netherseal Tractors. In that time I went from being a technician to a service manager and then a salesman.

Within every organisation, there are individuals who stand the test of time, becoming pillars of stability and beacons of inspiration. These remarkable individuals not only demonstrate unwavering commitment to their work, but also embody the values and spirit of the organisation itself.

We recently took a deep dive into the impressive career of Nigel Summerfield, our Group Customer Support Manager. Nigel told us all about his 50 year career in agriculture, what inspires him and how important it is to encourage young people to pursue their own careers in the industry.

How did you get into agriculture and when did you start at Rea Valley Tractors?

“I started as an apprentice at the age of 16 in 1972 for The Burgess Group, Lichfield. At that time, they were the largest agricultural dealers in Europe with 100 or so depots. It was a great place to get started at and stood me in good stead for my years to come. From there, I then completed a City and Guilds 030 qualification at Rycotewood College, Oxfordshire before returning to The Burgess Group in 1978.”

Nigel goes on to tell us about setting up his own business as a John Deere Service Technician for 10 years. During this time he employed people himself and saw things from a different point of view. “When you run your own business, you get to experience the many hats that you have to wear in order to make it work, and from doing this I think it has allowed me to relate to our customers here at RVT better.”

Nigel’s own business had to close when arthritis took hold in his hips and it was at this point, he was advised he needed a less physical job.

“After several pub meals and a few pints with the then AIS owner Mike Leadbetter, convinced me to take the job as Service Manager at Sudbury. Mike had been on to me for a few years, but before the arthritis kicked in, my aim was to grow my own business. It’s funny how things work themselves out, because I can’t imagine not having taken that role now.”

Career Highlights

“It’s hard to pick just one! Following my success in promoting extended warranties and maintenance plans, JCB recognised my achievement, and I received an After Sales Award from JCB. That was really rewarding to be recognised for it.

Last year, I was also honoured to be awarded a beautiful rose bowl from the Staffordshire Agricultural Society recognising my 50 years of service to agriculture. That was such a special moment for me.”

Nigel worked for AIS from 2002 - 2012, before AIS bought Rea Valley Tractors and rebranded. This is really when the role Nigel is in now was formed. The then Managing Director Steve Potter spoke about creating a customer support role, and he wanted Nigel to fill it. RVT were one of the first dealers to see the importance of this type of role and Nigel was given free rein to make it his own. In 2018, he turned over £1,000,000 in extended warranty and maintenance packages.

What is your current role at RVT?

“I am Group Customer Support Manager, and I will let you in to a little secret, I am due to retire, but I’m not quite ready yet! I head up the RVT Shield side of the business, supported of course by the service team. My role is mainly out on the road, visiting farmers and customers to talk to them about our extended warranty and maintenance packages. These packages give you the peace of mind to keep your machines on the road, with genuine parts and regular servicing. They offer a cash-flow friendly solution to fixing your repairs and service pricing, especially with the fluctuating costs at the minute” and the Directors know their direction of travel and where they want to take the business. It’s the right direction, and even just last month, we’ve announced the acquisition of another NH dealer, Teme Valley Tractors, a very successful dealership that has a great reputation. From feedback I have received over the last few months, it doesn’t matter the colour of the tractor, it’s the RVT people that matter.”

Nigel tells us how his job is so varied which keeps him motivated and loving the role he’s in. Each day he is meeting new farmers, and on a different farm. Hearing the opinions and experiences of these farmers and how they run their businesses is refreshing and helps him keep an ear to the ground. This then benefits RVT’s customers, as we become ‘friend in the know’ and much more relatable.

What is RVT like as an employer?

“Well, I’ve never worked in a company like RVT. They are very employee oriented, always extremely fair and without a doubt, they care about the wellbeing of their staff. Throughout Covid, they really went the extra mile to create a safe working space for us all. We have a dedicated HR department which gives us peace of mind that there is a go to person, should you need one. We get a whole package of benefits, access to healthcare and a benefits scheme for high street shops. Oh, and there aren’t many companies where you would have the Chairman’s mobile number to go to him direct. Simon is always so approachable, so visible and he’s on the ground, listening, asking questions, and caring about his team.”

Nigel tells us that he has been trusted to manage his role independently. He’s been granted ownership of what he does, whilst of course having the overall ambitions and goals of RVT at the forefront. This has allowed him to demonstrate his expertise, his own approach and get the results he has to date.

You had quite a career. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

“The change from John Deere to New Holland has definitely been the biggest challenge since I started, but such an exciting one. There has always been a vibrancy internally knowing how ambitious Simon Clarke, the group Chairman is, and that vibrancy is infectious. Simon