UK Based Team
apd offers a unique blend of bespoke development and consultancy programs with the specialist experience necessary to incorporate them into existing business processes.
Specialising in the Automotive, Aviation and Leasing sectors, apd programmes are specifically designed to develop and improve performance levels, suitably adapted to optimise local market dynamics.
Hand-picked international specialists draw from a wealth of global experience.
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To ensure that the consistent high quality of work is maintained, all consultants are employees of apd and are given full Director, International Development and administrative support.
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Derek Knight - Managing Director, Business Management Division
Derek entered the motor industry in 1976, working in the contract hire industry before joining Renault UK as a Regional Fleet Consultant.
His 10 years at Renault provided a wealth of experience of the operational running of a dealership through working as a Zone Sales Manager and other “hands on” roles, finally returning to his roots in accountancy when he took on the role of National Franchising Manager. This role involved the restructure of the entire dealer network, recruitment and setting up an average of 20 new businesses each year.
After leaving Renault, Derek joined the much-respected Mitac organisation, later acquired by R L Polk, firstly as a Business Management Consultant providing dealership financial management training and consultancy services to OEMs and their dealer networks.
He was latterly Director, Business Management Services, responsible for the growth of the company’s composite, business planning and training and consultancy businesses.
Together with Paul Turner, Derek founded apd business management following the withdrawal of R L Polk from the Business Management area of their business.
email: derekknight@apd-bm.com
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Paul Turner - Managing Director, Research Division
In his 28 years in the automotive sector, Paul has gained experience within the franchise network and with vehicle manufacturers. Until the formation of apd, Paul spent ten years with Mitac, one of Europe’s largest and much respected consultancy companies. After Mitac became part of R.L Polk in 2001, Paul completed a management buy-out of their leasing sector research division to form alchemy performance development ltd (apd) in 2003.
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Since the MBO, Paul has worked closely with major independent and manufacturer leasing companies to continue development of the leading customer satisfaction and sector intelligence research programmes such as Landmark CSI, fleetrax, brandtrax, and the award-winning 360osi programme.
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During this time, Paul, with fellow Directors, has also overseen the growth of apd group into one of the major providers of business management, dealer composite, consultancy and training to major car, truck and motorcycle OEMs.
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Paul's experience and knowledge of the whole automotive industry, but, in particular, the contract hire and leasing sector is unique.
email: paulturner@apd-group.com
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Scott Elliott - Group Commercial Director
Scott’s career started within the dealer environment in the parts arena. He quickly progressed into the service, accident repair and sales areas of the business, holding various senior management positions.
Having moved into a consultancy role and whilst working within the renowned Mitac consultancy, he met the founders of apd, Paul Turner and Derek Knight.
Scott has gained experience within numerous manufacturers on a global basis having worked in the UK, Europe, the Emerging Markets and North America.
Working with these manufacturers to provide support to enable their dealer networks to increase profitability and viability has provided Scott with a unique insight into how various brands operate.
As Commercial Director, Scott will assist his colleagues at apd in expanding the business portfolio and client base.
Having subsequently worked with two other automotive consultancy businesses before joining his ex-colleagues at apd, Scott is focussed on providing high levels of quality and value for money for clients.
email: scottelliott@apd-group.com
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Malcolm Earp - Managing Director, Consulting Division
Malcolm is an experienced automotive consultancy director with an international background in vehicle manufacturer retail distribution strategies.
He has successfully implemented several network business process re-engineering programmes over a 15 year period.
Malcolm started as a graduate trainee with a major motor group and created and headed the Group Fleet Sales Operation.
In the mid-eighties, Malcolm went on to head up the Rover Group European Fleet Sales and Used Car operations, neatly linking fleet supply to used car demand to stabilise residual values.
In the early nineties, he was head-hunted by the much-respected automotive consultants, Mitac, to develop new business and, as Director - Retail Distribution Services, established a major presence in Germany with a retailer change management programme for Audi and, later, extended this programme globally.
Malcolm created an international team of business development specialists to plan, measure and improve retailer network efficiency and performance in 25 countries.
email: malcolmearp@apd-c.com
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Barry Crisp – Group Head of Operations
Barry has over 10 years’ experience in project managing the development of global composite systems across multiple international automotive manufacturers. Development encompasses a wide range of disciplines from total system design and construction through to individual, bespoke report customizations. Working with colleagues and clients alike, Barry’s in-depth understanding of the technical and commercial requirements of the composite process continues to prove invaluable in the Business Management division of apd.
Initially from an accounting background, the majority of Barry’s career has been spent working within automotive consultancies in the Business Management field and he has been the leading figure in numerous composite system platform migrations and developments.
Barry’s role in apd is to manage the development of our products to ensure that apd develops and delivers market-leading Business Management products and services to all our clients.
email: barrycrisp@apd-bm.com
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Brian Green – Head of Training and Consultancy, Business Management Division
Brian has over 30 years experience in the motor trade, 18 of which have been spent in Business Management in different positions, with first hand experience of working for OEMs including Peugeot and FIAT.
During his time with OEMs, Brian spent 7 years dedicated to Business Management, including dealer viability plans, new dealer appointments and the development of composites.
Brian gained much relevant experience of dealing with senior management within the motor trade in his latter position of Regional Director at Peugeot for 6 years in the North of England.
On the retail side, further operational experience was accumulated as Operations Manager controlling a retail motor group in the north west, following which Brian moved into consultancy, where he has spent 11 years dedicated solely to Business Management consultancy and training including Oslo Ford, Nissan Dealer Development, Jaguar Overseas Training, business development workshops and Business Management training.
Brian brings this wealth of experience to apd, where it is put to use working with our OEM composite clients and their dealers to get behind the numbers and make real performance improvement.
email: briangreen@apd-bm.com
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Nick Gane – Head of Planning Services, Business Management Division
Nick has been involved in the financial accounting area of the motor industry for more than twenty years at dealer, OEM and service/consultancy level.
His roles have included Ford Main Dealer Accountant, Business Management Advisor with Citroen UK and Product Manager with responsibility for developing, marketing, training and supporting business planning products across a number of automotive franchises.
Nick’s “grass roots” experience means that results are gained through having a sound proactive commercial approach with a full understanding of business accounting and business management within the automotive industry environment.
He is a highly organized, highly motivated individual who is able to demonstrate total commitment, energy and enthusiasm in all aspects of business management, by using in-depth knowledge and experience gained in a commercial environment.
As Head of Planning Services, Nick’s key responsibility at apd is the development and successful implementation through both training and consultancy of our range of business planning tools, ViabilityViewer, and ProfitPlanner software.
Like us all at apd, Nick loves to get involved with our clients working globally on the many and varied dealer development projects.
email: nickgane@apd-bm.com
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David Moore – Head of Commercial Services, Business Management Division
David has been associated with the motor trade since leaving school initially serving his apprenticeship and moving through departments in a managerial capacity before becoming a general manager at the age of 28. During his career he has worked with several franchises successfully running single companies and small groups for both private and public companies, towards the later stages for Swan National & the Lex Motor Group.
Ten years ago David joined Mitac and more recently Polk working with manufacturers on dealer performance improvement programmes, business planning and viability studies, composite development and implementation programmes throughout Europe and the Far East, running composite services for numerous manufacturers, which include dealer development programmes in all areas of the business,
In his apd role of Head of Commercial Services, David makes sure that beyond the many mathematical validation checks our data goes through, everything makes absolute commercial sense. David then puts all this to use to work with our clients further enhancing operational improvement.
email: davidmoore@apd-bm.com
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Jonno Francis – Production Manager, Business Management Division
Jonno contributes greatly to the innovative and creative philosophy which is core to apd. His approach is to apply an analytical mind, with meticulous attention to detail, in order to exceed clients’ needs in delivering market-leading Business Management products and services.
With a background in economics and accounting, Jonno has spent a number of years gaining experience in both general accounting and financial composites. Much of this time was spent as a Management Information Analyst working within the Mitac Business Management department, where he gained strong and invaluable experience in managing and developing composite systems for a number of international automotive clients.
Jonno’s role includes project managing the initial and on-going development of composite systems, managing every aspect of the composite production and publication process, ensuring consistent, timely and accurate delivery to all our clients.
Jonno is also actively involved in the design and specification of new apd products across the group.
email: jonnofrancis@apd-bm.com
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Dr Andrew Skelhorn - Director, Research Division
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Andrew has more than 20 years of research and analysis, backed by a doctorate in Politics and International Relations, as well as publications in industrial archaeology, transport and travel.
Prior to joining apd, Andrew gained extensive experience in international market research, analysis and documentation, multimedia, competitor intelligence, interim management and training development whilst with leading global automotive consultancy, R.L. Polk Mitac Ltd.
He has worked with all of the leading automotive manufacturers and a wide range of leasing companies, combining extensive fieldwork, research and reporting.
The production and continuous development of the Landmark Customer Satisfaction Surveys initially provided the background to his role at apd, now supplanted with a wide range of other bespoke web-centric surveys, customer research and analysis.
Presentation is also a key area of expertise, with multimedia productions, which have been specifically developed as integral parts of programmes tailored to specific results in training, marketing and assessment.
email: andrewskelhorn@apd-rd.com
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John Hitcham - Business Strategy, Research Division
John has gained 35 years senior executive experience in retailer operations, internet and marketing strategy with Ford Motor Company - UK, Europe and global
He spent many years in senior director roles embracing global strategy development and implementation, reporting to and liaising with the highest executive levels within Ford HQ. He led major JV negotiations with other OEMs on four continents.
John was responsible for developing Ford’s global CRM and BDA e-strategy, building on the success achieved in restructuring the European retailer network.
He was retained by one of the leading global strategy consultancies to advise on sales and marketing in the automotive sector.
John possesses an excellent reputation and is highly respected within the industry, with a strong personal global network.
email: johnhitcham@apd-c.com
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Matthew Tydeman - Data Analyst, Business Management Division
Matthew brings to apd 7 years of Customer Services experience within a number of business sectors (both commercial and financial).
Matthew has spent the 4 years, prior to joining apd, gaining experience in report writing and analysis within a large multi-national production and distribution organisation. This experience contributes considerably to his day to day production and support responsibilities as well as providing the scope to contribute towards the design and structure of new and existing apd products.
Being highly customer focused Matthew is always looking to provide the best support experience both for clients and dealers.
Matthew’s role includes composite support, production and publication for our automotive clients, ensuring timely and accurate delivery. Working with the commercial and development team, he provides front line contact for apd-bm, offering experienced support to our clients and their dealer networks. Matthew is also the main point of contact for ProfitPlanner support, working closely with the Business Planning team to provide an efficient and proactive troubleshooting and development service.
email: matthewtydeman@apd-bm.com
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Daniel Williams – Product Manager, Research & Business Management Divisions
Daniel brings to apd over 11 years of experience from the Customer Services industry, with his main experience coming from quality assessment and training within this sector.
Daniel has extensive experience of data analysis and report writing, and has a strong background in conforming to client-led criteria. Daniel has a very customer- and client-oriented focus and is always keen to develop relationships further.
The production and development of the Landmark Customer Satisfaction Surveys provided the background to his role at apd, along with a wide range of other bespoke web-centric surveys, customer research and analysis, actively developing the report templates and processes to continually improve and automate the production process.
Daniel’s role purpose within apd is the management and maintenance of the range of 360osi products across many different global clients. Daniel manages all bespoke developments of the 360osi systems from conception to fruition, and is responsible for continually evolving the 360osi systems with updated features, ensuring the 360osi products remain unrivalled at the forefront of all customer satisfaction index systems.
email: danielwilliams@apd-rd.com
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