YOUR FORD CENTRE

SMTA Tell us about your work in your local community?

GS We have participated in various sponsorships and donations to community projects, sports clubs, events and youth associations that include the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, Kirkcaldy Half Marathon, Kirkcaldy Youth Gymnastics, Caledonian Junior Polo Teams, Fife Council Safer Communities Partnership, Peebles Beltane Festival, Raith Rovers FC , Raith Rovers Community Club, Fife Flyers along with many Bowling Clubs across Fife the Lothians and the Borders. We have also recently agreed to support Enjoyleisure, the Charitable Health, Wellbeing & Leisure Trust for East Lothian.

SMTA What’s one of the highlights of your community activity over the years?

GS Rather than highlight one particular activity, I think the fact that as we have grown as a business over the last few years, we have also grown our overall commitment to local community projects, while not losing our relationship with many of the local people and clubs that we have supported over those years and that gives us a huge sense of pride knowing that we are giving back to our local communities.

SMTA What does it mean to your business to win one of our Community Activity Recognition Awards?

GS We feel a huge sense of pride and we are delighted that our business and staff’s willingness to give back to the community at every opportunity has been recognised by the much respected Scottish Motor Trade Association, as well as our colleagues in the industry.

SMTA What do you think it means to your local community to see local businesses fundraising, donating etc?

GS I know through conversations that we have with members of the organisations that we work with and support that many of them rely on the goodwill of local business like ourselves especially in the current climate. Many large businesses are sometimes viewed as insular institutions driven by the need to make a return for stakeholders.

While we are a profitable business, we understand that our local communities are very much an integral part of our success to date.

SMTA SMTA is keen to show that our members are not just garage businesses but many of our members also play a huge part in the community. What inspires you to be so active in your community?

GS Our staff are also part of our local communities, and we feel our involvement allows a feeling of pride in being able to give back to the local communities that have grown with us over the years.

SMTA Can you tell our readers a bit about your garage?

GS As one of Scotland’s largest familyowned Ford Dealer Groups, with one of our dealerships being in business since 1925, we will use all our experience and expertise, whether that is in Sales, Aftersales or Car Rental, to ensure your ownership experience is enjoyable and stress free. Our unique customer care that can only be provided by a family business is one reason why so many of our customers keep coming back and are happy to recommend us to their family and friends. Ford have also recognised this with the award of their prestigious Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Customer Satisfaction.

Our family business friendliness, flexibility and attention to detail combined with the professionalism usually associated with larger companies is a combination that works.

SMTA How does your SMTA / Scotsure membership help?

GS Our membership and great relationship with the SMTA gives our staff and customers the confidence that we are a member of a highly respected motoring organisation. Adhering to a code of conduct.

SMTA What are you plans for the future?

GS We are currently expanding into the Dundee and Tayside area and look forward to building similar relationships with those local communities.

SMTA What’s the key to your garage’s success?

GS Staff moral and treating customers like family.

SMTA What is the biggest challenge as a business?

GS Economic climate and the significant changes within the motor trade in the years ahead.

SMTA What drives you?

GS My wife and kids! As every parent does I want to set a good example to my kids and show if you work hard and believe, anything is possible. They are my inspiration!

SMTA What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career, and how have you made use of it?

GS Embrace the challenge and never fear failure. Life and business can tend to throw some curve balls at times however by not failing you cannot learn from mistakes. Some of my highest achievements have come on the back of failure and disappointments.

Also, to never underestimate the power of a great team. A business can achieve great things by empowering individuals who are passionate and working towards the same goal.