Meet Mark Royal, the Head of Business at Lloyd Newcastle

With a career spanning more than 28 years, Mark Royal has become a seasoned figure in the automotive industry. After starting out in sales of white goods and televisions, he discovered his true passion for cars, stepping into the industry as a sales executive. Since 1997, Mark has made significant contributions wherever his journey has taken him.

Keep reading to discover more about Mark!

Can you share a little about your career journey and the key steps that brought you to where you are today? What attracted you to work in the automotive industry intially?

"I stared out as a Sales Executive and within 6 months got fast tracked into a Business Manager role, which was my favourite role within the industry. I then worked various roles from Sales Manager, to running a finance department and Divisional Used Car Sales Manager. In 2012, I got the role of Head of Business at Durham BWM and have remained in a Head of Business role ever since."

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

"Pretty seamless and straightforward. We received a lot of help and support from the Lloyd Motor Group team members, and all the staff here at Newcastle embraced the change."

Since joining Lloyd, what changes or differences have stood out to you the most?  

"There is loads of help and support provided by the whole team in Lloyd Motor Group. There is a family feel within the company."

What excites you most about leading this site under Lloyd Motor Group? 

"The opportunity to become one of the top retailers in the UK!"

How do you and your team make sure every customer has an exceptional experience in the showroom?

"There is a great culture, every customer gets made to feel welcome. There is always a manager on hand for help and support. We care about the whole journey for each customer. From the minute they walk into the showroom or make an enquiry, we want them to feel special."

Is there a particular customer story or moment that has really stayed with you over the years?

"A customer who was purchasing a vehicle when I worked within sales brought a Tesco carrier bag full of cash to purchase their new Micra. It was £4,600 at the time and I had to count it all out in front of them on the desk."

How do you and your team engage with the local community?

"We work with local charities and take part in their local fundraising events. Our main charity we work closely with is Cash for Kids North East. We also like to promote and support local businesses, whether that be attending their events or having them incorporated in our events, for example, local flower companies, local caterers and coffee van companies."

What is your favourite thing about the Jaguar Land Rover brand?

"The quality of the brand and the vehicles. The British heritage."

What advice would you offer to someone just starting out in the motor trade today?

"Work hard, listen and learn from the good people surrounding you in the industry. The opportunities are endless."

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

"I enjoy watching my son play football and attending football matches. Spending time with my family and holidays."