Meet Kris Robson, the Head of Business at Lloyd Stockton

Having recently celebrated 25 years in the motor trade, Kris Robson is the Head of Business at Lloyd Land Rover Stockton, now proudly part of Lloyd Motor Group. With extensive experience and a genuine passion for customer care, Kris is dedicated to fostering lasting relationships with both our current clients and future ones.

Keep reading to discover more about Kris!

Congratulations on reaching 25 years in the motor trade! Can you tell us a bit about your journey so far and what attracted you to work in the automotive industry?

Fell into it really. I finished A-Levels and decided against University. I was taken on by Reg Vardy as a Sales Trainee and very quickly found that I enjoyed the sales environment and the different opportunities and challenges it brings each day. I rose up the ranks from trainee to Sales Executive and then Business Manager via the in-house development training made available to me. By 24, I was Sales Manager at Stockton Jaguar, which was very quickly followed by my appointment as Head of Business, where I’ve been ever since. I really enjoy working for the JLR brand and really enjoy being part of the team here at Stockton. Lloyd Motor Group brings a new and exciting chapter for us as we move away from PLC ownership for the first time under my leadership, a chapter I know we are all up for.

Over your 25-year career, what major changes in the motor industry have stood out to you the most?

25 years is a long time and with it I’ve seen many changes, ranging from technological innovation to legislation to trading conditions, most notably during Covid. However, the biggest change so far must be the transition to electric vehicles. It’s the most significant change in the industry’s focus in recent times and brings about a lot of change in manufacturing processes, available technology, as well as new brands in the marketplace.

How have you found the transition to becoming a part of the Lloyd Motor Group?

At first, I’ll admit, it was a bit nerve-racking and I felt a little apprehensive. But despite the challenges, my team and I have really risen to the occasion. With the incredible help and support from the Lloyd Motor Group team, the transition has been much smoother than I expected. We’ve integrated new systems into the business, some of those systems are similar to what we’ve been used to in the past, but some of them are absolutely geared towards putting us on the front foot and giving us the edge over the competition. Lloyd Motor Group have really brought a customer and team first mentality into the business, and you can already see the impact its having on the environment here at Stockton. We were genuinely excited as the takeover went through, but as 2026 fast approaches, I feel the team are building for what promises to be a successful first year under our new Lloyd Motor Group ownership.

How do you and your team work to deliver an exceptional experience for every customer?

I think the first and most important thing is get the basics right. If you can achieve this consistently, you can build from there. We put a lot of emphasis on understanding customer needs and personalising the service we offer, but not at the expense of prompt, urgent support when needed.

What makes the Lloyd Land Rover Stockton dealership unique in your eyes?

Tough question, as from what I can see Lloyd Motor Group has a lot of very good businesses, but I’ve got to say the team. We have a real strong core of people who’ve been with us, like myself, for a long time, but the secret to that being a strength is that those core people continue to welcome newcomers with open arms and support them in becoming integral parts of our team as we grow and move forward.

Can you share a moment that has been especially rewarding in your career?

We’ve won many awards during my time here, awards that have resulted in some fantastic trips to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Las Vegas and most notably Necker Island. However, that isn’t the most rewarding part for me. The most rewarding part of my career is seeing trainees or apprentices grow through the business and become important parts of our team. Some of them grow within our business at Stockton and some of them move on to grow elsewhere, but for me, I find it really rewarding either way. Being able to help people progress, whether in a big or small way, and offering advice along the way is the best thing I, as a leader, can do to help progress the business or an individual. Without similar opportunities afforded to me, I wouldn’t be sat where I am today.

During your career, has there been a particular moment or feedback from a customer, colleague, or mentor that has really stayed with you?

All feedback is important, good or bad. Good feedback is probably underrated, but it can give the team a real lift and is often overlooked. But, some of my worst feedback has resulted in some of my best customers when we’ve been able to react to it and overcome the challenges presented. I think the most important thing when it comes to feedback, wherever it comes from, is to listen, digest and use it to move forward positively.

What advice would you give to someone starting their career in the motor trade?

Work hard, enjoy it and the opportunities are endless.

Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time?

A few years ago this answer would have been very different, but as I get a bit older and now have two children, things change. Most of my time is spent enjoying watching my two boys play football. Whether it be Saturday or Sunday, they normally have a game — most of the time on both days — and we find ourselves touring the North East to play, while I'm trying to keep my cool on the sidelines! Other than that, I enjoy holidaying, watching most forms of sport, and occasionally taking part.