WITH ITS FORECOURTS full of luxury cars, it's easy to take a shine to work at Inchcape. This international car dealer, based in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, has hit the top spot in its fourth consecutive year on the list. It sells and services brands including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Land Rover at more than 100 sites around the UK. Founded 170 years ago as Mackinnon Mackenzie & Company, the FTSE-listed firm has operations in 25 other countries and UK revenues of £2.47bn in 2014. The market is thriving, and so are the 5,417 people at Inchcape UK. They praise a culture of excellent management (a 78% positive score, ranking top on our list), big benefits and a small-team feel at their own “retail centre”. For customer loyalty manager Kelly Honour, this was a first role in reception that became a career. “I love the job I'm doing, and in an ideal world I'd love to progress up the chain — it's achievable,” she says. “Everyone's surprised by the benefits; my favourite is cinema tickets for a discount. The share scheme helps me save money; I've signed up to my pension and just taken up the healthcare cash plan.” Staffers agree jobs are good for personal growth (80%, also first). New joiner Will Dix, a technician, praises the training. “I'm on the workshop floor, but it's a big company and I'm looking to move up,” he says. “I've worked in the industry for 18 years and the electronics are a massive change, instead of the old-fashioned listening to the car and driving it. The challenge is keeping up, and Inchcape has a lot of courses. And it's one of the cleanest workshops I've seen.” In one incentive scheme, Dix is encouraged to fill an image of Inchcape lighthouse off the Scottish coast — inspiration for the company name — with hours worked. Staff agree that what's expected is completely clear (83%, another top score). David Boniface, general manager at Mercedes-Benz of Oxford, previously worked in the hospitality industry. “I've not looked back,” he says. “If you are passionate about products, people and customers, the job is very rewarding. It's a career for more diverse people, and the machismo has gone. We aren't knee-jerk about recruitment, but get the person who fits into the ethos of the team.” Last year Louis Fallenstein became chief executive, and he's been quick to impress. People say senior managers truly live organisational values (77%), including to “treat every pound as your own”. Sales executive Rachael Mullard adds: “The charity work is lovely. Last year we did the Three Peaks Challenge. It's a change, and it's nice to know you are doing something good. We were in a minibus for three days with the general manager, bundled up, freezing cold, aching and stinking, but we felt the love.” An undeniable benefit of working for Inchcape is the cars. Internal communications manager Angie Lawrence-Scott says: “I have a Mercedes CLA: to be fair, that's a wow moment. There are jobs where you get company cars, but to get a Mercedes is quite special.” When Lawrence-Scott receives a new vehicle, the used one goes to a showroom or the firm's fleet division. Only certain jobs come with a company car, but everyone can take advantage of promotional discounts on vehicles for themselves, family and friends. Paul Moloney, site aftersales director, sums it up: “If you are passionate about cars, which a lot of people are, it's a dream job.” www.inchcape.com
