Eden Operations Directors Rise Through The Ranks

Eden Motor Group has appointed three Operations Directors in the past 12 months, all of whom have risen through the ranks having joined the company at a young age.

Matt Gill, Russell Catlow and Mike Earle have all worked for Eden since a young age, and have been appointed to senior roles below the age of 40 – proving that Eden is a company that not only invests in its people but also gives them the opportunities they need to thrive.

All three senior appointments have climbed through the company, earning recognition for their efforts and embracing Eden’s family-style culture.

Matt Gill was appointed to an Operations Director role in the summer having begun his career as a Sales Executive at Eden Reading. He went on to become General Manager at four of the group’s Vauxhall sites before becoming a Regional Manager for the group in the Thames Valley.

He said: “I joined Eden from a sales environment where I would never have had the opportunities I’ve been given by Eden, but the company’s leadership development programme has opened doors for me. It’s the culture that makes the difference – we’re treated equally and encouraged to thrive.”

Russell Catlow joined Eden as a Sales Executive in Taunton in February 2016, going on to a Branch Manager role in Torquay before taking on a Regional Manager position in the South West in 2018. He was also appointed to an Operations Director role this summer.

Russell said: “Before Eden, I was working for a dealership that was focused entirely on margin. At Eden it’s different. Our colleagues are very much our identity and there’s no sense of hierarchy – opportunities exist for everyone and the company’s culture rewards those who are prepared to work hard and look after each other and our customers. It’s refreshingly different from other businesses in automotive sales.”

Finally, Mike Earle also took up an Operations Director role having joined Eden in 2012 as a Sales Manager at Eden Vauxhall in Fareham, Hants. Before his current position, Mike was a Regional Manager overseeing sites in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, as well as holding a core role in setting up Eden’s Approved Used operation.

“I was never really an academic,” said Mike. “So when I started my career, I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do.

“But I always enjoyed interacting with people and talking, and I've always liked cars, so I figured that an automotive sales job might well represent a good opportunity for me. I was delighted when Eden took me on.

“Not only that, but over the next few years I realised that the culture within the company was one where they nurtured talent and nine years later I found myself in a role that I never, ever would have imagined myself doing when I was younger.”

"Opportunities exist for everyone and the company’s culture rewards those who are prepared to work hard and look after each other and our customers."

Russell Catlow, Operations Director

Want to know more about a career at Eden Motor Group?

Check out our career opportunities here