Benfield and Porsche veteran joins independent dealership

Tyne and Wear-based independent dealer group Redgate Lodge Motor Group has hired Paul Keighley as its operations director.

Keighley has decades of experience in motor retail, including running his own used car sales business and in senior roles with franchised dealers including Benfield Motor Group, Colebrook & Burgess and JCT600.

Redgate said his appointment is a step in the company's plans to expand its operations, which currently consist of two dealerships at Shiremoor and North Shields and a bodyshop at North Shields.

Founded in 2010 by managing director Scott Sibley, Redgate Lodge is a family-run small dealer group which has won independent awards.

Sibley (right in the picture) said: "We are very pleased to have secured someone of Paul’s calibre for our new operations director position. We are a family business with family values and exciting plans for the future.

"Paul's industry-wide experience and success working in senior roles across the motor trade will be invaluable to everyone working in the Redgate team and we are all delighted he is joining our business.”

Redgate's main site at Shiremoor retails cars valued between £10,000 and £70,000, while the North Shields site, branded Redgate Lodge Select, offers lower value used cars.

Keighley said: "The minute I met Scott and the management team at Redgate, it was clear there was an exciting opportunity for me to join a family-run business with a good track record in the motor industry that also has ambitious growth plans for the future. 

"There is a huge amount of opportunity for me to apply my industry-wide experience and knowledge and to help grow the team and build on their success to date."

Recently Redgate Lodge Motor Group, presented a cheque for over £12,000 to grass roots sport charity Sport Newcastle. The money was raised followed a successful golf day in aid of the charity which was supported by motor industry suppliers, manufacturers and customers of Redgate Lodge.

The money raised will go directly to sports people and clubs in the North East. Sport Newcastle is a registered charity supporting grassroots sport and has provided more than £2.5 million in financial grants spanning a quarter of a century to young talent, sports clubs and events.

Former Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European triple jump champion, and Sport Newcastle Patron, Jonathan Edwards CBE took part in the event playing for the Redgate Lodge team.

The golf day was attended by a wide range of businesses from the motor trade and local businesses including, BCA, Manheim Auctions along with Euro Car parts, Bosch UK, several leading finance and vehicle funding partners plus many regular and new faces who travelled from as far as Glasgow, Yorkshire and the Midlands.

The winners of the golf day were Auto Protect warranties with Lee Myers as their captain. The winner of the nearest the pin competition was Adam Findlay from Davison’s Solutions and the longest drive winner was Scott Palmer from Lookers Nissan.