patrick stone managing director


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 massive changes in the retail motor industry over the years but believes one of the reasons Premier continues to thrive is because it always moves with the times, yet remains a family run business giving a very personal service which larger groups and corporate companies are unable to offer.

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

CHARLOTTE LINSDALE SALES MANAGER



CHARLOTTE STONE

General 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.

jacqui purdy pa to directors


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.

martin simmonds after sales manager


MARTIN SIMMONDS

After Sales Manager

Martin (aka Ronnie) 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 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 Mediterranean 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 STREETER

Service Manager

Mark started with Premier in June 2006 and has seen his role change dramatically over the 13 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



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.

tony graves number 1 sales advisor


TONY GRAVES

Sales Advisor

Having started with Premier in August 2012, Tony is one of the newest members 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 family, visiting South Africa, steam engines, car rallies, and National Trust historical sites.

Tony also has a love of all thing's car-related and would one day like to own a classic Triumph Spitfire.

andrew hicks sales advisor

ANDREW HICKS

Sales Advisor

Andrew has over 25 years in the motor trade, having joined Premier in 1997, leaving 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!

IAN BONTHRON WORKSHOP CONTROLLER


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.