Five minutes with Lee Yates – Fleet Sales Manager - Swansway Honda Manchester

Hi Lee, can you tell us a bit about your role?

I’m a Fleet Sales Manager and my role is to get companies to take out contract hires on Honda vehicles. It’s a great role for meeting all sorts of different people. Today, we’ve been into Adidas which is an exciting company to work with; we even work with some TV companies. Keep your eyes peeled and if you see a Honda on Corrie one night, that’s one of mine!

That’s quite exciting! So, have you been on the Coronation Street set?

Yes, I have. A few years ago, my niece had cancer and we organised for her to go on set and behind the scenes which was such a fantastic experience and she loved it. She’s beaten the cancer too; which is obviously brilliant.

We’re glad to hear that. We heard you’ve recently fulfilled your 2,000th order – congratulations! How did you celebrate?

I haven’t had a chance to celebrate yet; I start work at 7am every day so I’m waiting until Friday night so I can enjoy a lie in the next day to recover! I’ve worked really hard to get to this point and it’s taken a long time to get there, so I’ll definitely be marking the occasion.

You’re obviously a pretty good sales person! What’s your secret?

Honestly, I’m just dedicated to succeeding and I love to keep busy. At the end of the day, if you’re not busy, the dealership isn’t doing well; I really push myself to get the extra work so that the service staff are busy too. Last year, I sold 530 cars which wasn’t bad! I’ve taken part in some of the fleet incentives which also help push me to do well; I’ve won the ‘Top Performance Honda Contract Dealer’ award for the last four years. I’ve always said I want to win it five years in a row – so this year I’ve got to keep up the pace!

Have you always wanted to be in the motor industry?

To be honest, no! Outside of work, I’m not really into cars but what I love about Honda and my dealership, Swansway, is the atmosphere and people. I’ve been with Honda for 10 years and my current dealership for five and it’s like being part of a family. If you’re ever sick, they get in touch to check you’re alright and not in a ‘boss’ way but as your friends. We’re all down to earth here, and that’s what I love.

We’re glad to hear it! As it’s GCSE results week, we have to ask, do you remember getting your results?

Oh yes, I remember! I got 7 Cs and 2 Ds, so not bad considering how often I turned up for school! I went straight from school to an apprenticeship as a baker and stayed there for five years, but having to get up and work at 3am didn’t fit with my lifestyle as an 18-year-old! So, I looked for something with a better work life balance and have found that at Honda. I think my teenage self would be pretty impressed with how things have turned out since then.

And finally, is there anything about you that your colleagues would be surprised by?

After the Manchester attacks, like a lot of people here, I got the Manchester bee tattooed as a tribute to the victims. The other day, I added ‘On the sixth day, God created Manchester!’ and since then I’ve decided to dedicate my entire right arm to Manchester tattoos. I have to cover it up at work so most of my colleagues won’t ever know!

We can’t wait to see how it looks when it’s finished! Thanks, Lee

Thank you to Sophie Flynn at River agency for the interview and write up.