Meet The Team

PATRICK STONE

Managing Director

At school, Patrick was more interested in playing sports than sitting at a desk learning 'boring' stuff. Back in the 1960s, he started working at Premier as a teenager for his mum and dad earning pocket money by serving petrol on Saturdays and during school breaks. Patrick took over ownership of the business in 1983 and to this day still finds it difficult to sit at a desk for more than 15 minutes, and he runs the company in a very hands-on way. Patrick has seen his business, and the industry, change massively over the years and he believes one of the reasons Premier continues to thrive is because we always move with the times and are always looking for more business opportunities.

A former Harlequins player, Patrick has a passion for rugby, and being half French supports both the England and France international teams.

MIKE RUDD

General Manager

Mike joined Premier back in 1995 and as General Manager, he has a long list of responsibilities required to keep the company running efficiently including personnel, matters related to the FCA, accountants and the bank.

Besides a long career in the motor trade, Mike is a former boxer, motor-racer, and footballer.

A devoted Charlton Athletic FC fan, Mike can often be found at The Valley supporting the players and chanting against the opposition.

Mike is also a keen seadog and his old boat requires constant maintenance to keep it running and afloat.

ROGER NOKES

General Manager

Roger joined Premier in 2007 having previously spent nearly 20 years as regional manager for Hyundai, Subaru and Mitsubishi, and prior to that a number of years in retail car dealerships.

Roger is in charge of Premier's aftersales operations and liaises with our manufacturers, Hyundai and Ssangyong, ensuring that we achieve high operating standards.

A collector of Americana, Roger is interested in old American cars and he enjoys looking after his vintage juke box and pinball machines

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JACQUI PURDY

PA To Directors

Since joining Premier in 1991 Jacqui has helped to ensure the smooth running of the business by happily taking on anything that no one else wants to do.

Outside of work, Jacqui looks after one husband, two daughters, one son, one grandson and one dog. To compensate and relax, Jacqui enjoys reading and going for long walks.

Jacqui is currently receiving treatment for her addiction to Strictly Come Dancing.

CHARLOTTE LINSDELL

Sales Manager

Charlotte's first day at Premier was the 16th October 1987, the date otherwise best remembered for the great storm.

Charlotte manages the busy sales team, which qualifies her perfectly for her other role as a full time mum. Much of Charlotte's weekends are usually spent on the sides of fields supporting her boys playing rugby, football or cricket.

Charlotte also enjoys cooking, gardening and growing her own vegetables.

MARTIN SIMMONDS

After Sales Manager

Martin first joined Premier in 1989 as Parts Manager at our former Forest Hill branch and has worked his way up to the position of After Sales Manager where he oversees the Service Department, Parts, Bodyshop and Preparation Centre.

Having finally tied the knot recently, Martin is enjoying married life but is often keen to escape on his Vespa scooter to meet his mod friends.

A devoted football follower and an avid Crystal Palace supporter through thick and thin, Martin would one day like to manage the team. He is also a lover of most of other sports, as his physique shows.

TRACY BIGNELL

Accounts Manager

Tracy started as Accounts Assistant in October 1993 and now manages all aspects of the Premier accounts, including purchase ledger, credit control, management accounts, banking, and most importantly - Payroll!

Football fanatic Tracy is a Charlton Athletic season ticket holder but we don't hold that against her. Tracy also enjoys eating out in fine restaurants along with good wine and good company.

Recently returned from a Mediteranean cruise, Tracy loves to holiday in hot places where she can work on her tan, and she also loves to ski.

MARK STREETER

Service Manager

Mark started with Premier in June 2006 and has seen his role change dramatically over the 11 year period. He enthuses about the evolution of the industry, "I am excited to see where technology and the motor trade will go with electric, fully autonomous, and hydrogen cars already being introduced on British roads and the next 10 years are going to see considerable change".

A true petrol-head, Mark is owner of a high-performance motorbike and a high-performance car, which get most of his attention when he is not at work, however he has a greater love - that of fish. "I have had both tropical and marine tanks and although I had three tanks at home I have recently gone down to just the two…".

GARY SYKES

Business Manager

With many years in the motor industry, Gary joined Premier in 2011 as Business Manager, overseeing the sale of finance and insurance products within the business whilst implementing, maintaining and monitoring a compliant sales process sustaining approval of the FCA.

Also a tech geek, fast car owner and Superman-wannabe, Gary's living room is filled with what he considers to be collectable action-figures.

DANIEL HENDERSON

Assistant Sales Manager

Despite joining Premier in 2003, Daniel is the youngest member of the sales team. He enjoys selling cars to public and trade, and always strives to provide the very best customer service possible. Daniel can usually be seen talking to customers in the showroom or arranging the cars on the forecourt into an organised display.

Outside of work, in no particular order, Daniel enjoys red wine, judo, football, family holidays, and is constantly supplied with a new list of DIY tasks to achieve at home.

Daniel is also a lover of Japanese sports cars, and would like to be considered for a starring role in the next Fast and Furious film.

ROBERT PAYN

Senior Parts Advisor

Rob joined Premier in 1999 and has extensive knowledge of vehicle components making him the man to go to for parts and expertise.

A life-long Millwall fan, Rob also enjoys pubs, classic cars and loud live music, particularly that with a ska / skinhead / reggae vibe.

When not at work or following the football, Rob is kept busy by his four grandchildren.  

IAN BONTHRON

Workshop Controller

Ian first started at Premier in 1987 and is now Workshop Controller in the busy service team which deals with around 150 customers' cars every week. Ian also oversees the MOT bay, quality control and is part of the Health & Safety team.

He has an in-depth knowledge of pretty much all makes of car, but first specialised in what are now classic Lada and Proton vehicles which he is always very pleased to see whenever they arrive for a service.

Ian is known to always be able to barter for the best price for any goods or services making him a valuable negotiator whenever talking to suppliers.

Ian enjoys holidays in Portugal with family, playing golf (with a super high handicap), going to the gym, and watching rugby.  

TOBY KENNOR

Website Manager

Toby joined Premier in 2012 and has too many jobs to list here, including being our resident IT geek and webmaster. 

When he first started, he used to take an afternoon off to have a hair cut but we finally persuaded him to ditch the comb over and shave it off - and now he has plenty of annual leave left.

When he's not busy updating our new website, you might find him strolling around Blackfen in one of his many pairs of Vans trainers and with his fetching manbag. 

Toby also enjoys romantic weekend breaks to Ramsgate or Margate with his long suffering girlfriend Julia.

COLIN aNDERSON

Sales Advisor

Formerly a driving instructor for many years, Colin joined the Premier sales team in 1998 where he now enjoys looking after his hundreds of existing customers and welcomes new ones too.

When not at work, Colin enjoys the great outdoors, especially gardening and walking. When he was younger, Colin frequently played football, cricket, tennis and rugby but nowadays he prefers to watch them all on TV.

Colin has five grandchildren (with more on the way!) who keep him busy when he's not at the showroom. Colin loves his holidays in the sun and is looking forward to taking a permanent one when he retires next year.

ANDREW HICKS

Sales Advisor

Andrew has over 25 years in the motor trade, having joined Premier in 1997 and left briefly in 2000 to join another dealership. Having realised the grass isn't always greener on the other side he returned to Premier where he has remained ever since and has vowed never to make the same mistake again.

There's a definite theme to Andrew's interests, which include cars, classic cars, Formula 1 cars, rally cars, touring cars and model cars.

But Andrew does enjoy spending quality time with his wife and their Shih-Tzu, Teddy.

Any spare time after that you will find Andrew racing online on his Xbox!

TONY GRAVES

Sales Advisor

Having started with Premier in August 2012, Tony is the newest member of the sales team. Tony enjoys meeting customers, discussing their requirements, and finding a car to best match their needs.

Outside of work, Tony's varied interests include spending time with his wife and his son, food, visiting South Africa, steam engines, car rallies, and National Trust historical sites.

Tony also has a love of all things car-related and would one day like to own a classic Triumph Stag.

ANDREW BERNARD

Service Advisor

Andrew is one of the friendly faces you will see on the service desk when you bring your car in.

With previous experience at a prestige garage, Andrew brings plenty of knowledge and has big ambitions within the motor trade.

The most recent addition to the team, Andrew is also the youngest member of staff at Premier, but he is no boy racer - he can be seen driving around town at a very sensible speed in his faithful old beige Volvo.

His interests include boxing, American football, proper football, and motorcycles. Andrew is also an experienced tailor and likes to make his own clothes.

KERRYANNE ALLEN

Service Advisor

In a position she has held since 2010, Kerry is a Service Advisor and another one of the friendly faces you see when you bring your car in for service, MOT or bodywork.

Queen of the fad diet, Kerry has successfully tried every conceivable healthy eating plan for at least one day.

When asked about her interests, Kerry said, "Give me a break, I've got two teenagers!"

ALEX TATMAN

Service Advisor

Alex started with Premier in 2013 and is now a very experienced member of the service team. Alex likes to help provide a warm and friendly atmosphere alongside his colleagues, which helps to maintain an enjoyable experience for customers.

Alex believes that helpful, considered communication is invaluable during the various stages in the lifespan of a vehicle and will always do his best to provide professional advice and guidance.

Alex has a passion for fast cars, films, TV, video games, Italian food, and most of all, collecting tattoos.

FRED HILLS

Parts Advisor

Having started with Premier in 2017, Fred is one of the newest members of the team and provides all manner of car parts to customers and to our Service Department. He can normally be found at the Parts desk next to the service reception in our showroom.

Fred is very knowledgeable and will always be pleased to help you with friendly service and advice.

Fred is a film buff, a video game connoisseur, a golfing try-hard, and he enjoys Pringles of any flavour.