Jonathan Cummins attended a YTS training scheme in 1995 where he successfully completed their training and achieved a work placement for Thames Ford. Whilst enjoying a successful start in the motor industry the Thames Group lost their Ford franchise and was forced to pull the plug on the existing repairers in Clapham Road, The Oval.
Summer 1995 brought fantastic change and forwarded Jonathan’s career path when company owner of the Thames Group, not happy let this hopeful young mechanic go else where, arranged an interview for a Fiat apprientiship at his Fiat/Alfa Romeo/Lancia site located in the Croydon area. Jonathan sailed through his interview with current business partner Jamie Pitt (workshop manager) and successfully completed an NVQ and Level 1 and 2 in City Guilds at Croydon College.
In late 1996 Jonathan was already making a name for himself within the Italian car network, being head hunted by a newer Fiat/Alfa Romeo Dealership located in Catford, South London. After completing a final year at college he was quickly promoted into a Technician role and it is here where Jonathan’s career would be accelerated to an amazing degree. From Technician to Dealer Expert Technician (DET, Senior Technician) was achieved almost overnight with an intense training and diagnostic training program. Dealing with vast amount of problematic vehicles forwarded Jonathan’s customer skills and gained him a respect among his peers – and in July 1998 it would be this that prompted him into a Workshop Controller/Foreman role.
From here he would really start to understand the business side of things getting involved with bookings, invoicing, customer services and productive influences. His Workshop Controller/Foreman position was soon furthered to an Assistant Team Leadership role and at the start of 2000 Jonathan successfully achieved Service Team Leader status and at only 21 years of age which would make him the youngest ranked individual in the UK.
Helped and backed by a very forward thinking company, Pendragon Plc, Jonathan went on to run 2 very successful sites bringing forward new ideas which motivated team members and increased customer service and profits. October 2000 brought in new company, The Ancaster Group Ltd – huge name in the Nissan world, who took over the 3 Kent Fiat/Alfa Romeo dealerships. Within 3 years of working with The Ancaster Group a still youthful Jonathan gained numerous remuneration packages for his contributions to their well established name making him the youngest yet highest respected Service Managers within their group. Within these 3 years Jonathan had also managed to acquire the allegiance of both his past mentors Osman Damdelen and Jamie Pitt who worked with him to achieve and accolade of rewards and recognitions from the Manufacturers.
Jonathans drive to achieve and outstanding technical abilities has put him back on the workshop floor training one of a young hopefuls, Luke Jackson, who is showing a real future potential. Whilst carrying out vigorous training exercises for his young hopeful Jonathan has always shared an addiction to the world of Motorcycles, Motor racing restoration and just anything powered by an engine!
