Meet Kayleigh Whatford - Sales Manager of Mercedes-Benz of Poole and Mercedes-Benz of Dorchester.

With International Women’s Day almost upon us, we thought it was important to highlight one of the many incredible women that work at Sandown.

Kayleigh is the Sales Manager of both our Poole and Dorchester Retailers. She started with Sandown 11 years ago as a Transaction Manager and has worked her way up to where she is now.

Being a car fan is what got Kayleigh into the Motor Trade, she started out selling weddings and events but her love for customer interactions and cars is what stemmed her career move. Starting as a Trainee Sales Executive at the age of 21 in 2006, Kayleigh has now been in the motor trade for 19 years!

When Kayleigh was asked what its like being a woman working in the motor trade, she said ‘We are very lucky at Mercedes-Benz of Poole to have five Ladies in the Sales Team. The Motor Trade is predominantly male however we find as a business that promoting more Ladies into the Motor Trade adds a positive balance to the dynamics of the team’.

Kayleigh described her average day to us, which consists of ‘I come in 30 minutes early and go straight for my one of MANY coffees! I prep our morning meeting, present to the team good practices and keep them up to date on our business. I meet many customers during the day to welcome and thank them for their business and ensure our standard of service is always exceptional. I oversee our three Transaction Managers, our Sales Executives and our team at Mercedes-Benz of Poole and Dorchester. I also make sure to keep in touch with our enquiry management process. I reconcile our accounts, investigate our used car preparation, spot check our appraisals. Conduct our staff reviews and many more daily tasks!’.

Her favourite thing about working at Sandown is the team, the customers and the environment. Kayleigh enjoys seeing the sheer excitement on customers faces through their journeys with us. ‘Sales in the Motor Trade is very rewarding, Supporting customer’s journeys through a fantastic buying experience. We are lucky enough to work with a fantastic brand!’ said Kayleigh.

In her free time outside of work, Kayleigh enjoys cooking, gardening and walking! She also loves being with her 6-year-old, husband and her Miniature Dachshund – Pancake! Kayleigh and her family also visit Paulton’s Park on a regular basis.

Finally, we asked Kayleigh what her advice would be to someone who was looking to start a career in the Motor Trade ‘Be Positive, excited, ambitious and love what you do. Love and enjoy the people and providing a fantastic service to each customer who walks in through the doors. We are lucky to be able to come to this environment daily and enjoy the excitement of the customers luxury experience’.