Our Team
Our small team has hands on experience of working in the motor industry at all levels. We understand what you need from a recruitment agency.
Chris Highfield
Having trained as an Accountant, Chris became involved in the Motor Industry in 1985 Joining Trimoco as a Salesman. He progressed through the ranks of Business Manager, Sales Manager and Dealer Principal before becoming a Regional Manager for Hartwell when they took over Trimoco. In 1996 he joined the Dutton Forshaw Group and was part of the Senior Management MBO team that bought the business from Lonrho. In 1998 he joined the Osborne Group as Group General Manager before starting ARC Recruitment in 2000.
In his spare time Chris is a Director of the Colchester Garrison Officers Club and is a keen tennis player and skier. You can also find him on LinkedIn.
Nick Legge
Nick joined the Motor Trade in 1990 working for Trimoco. After a spell as a salesman and in Group Marketing he worked in Head Office after the takeover by Hartwell Plc as Operations Manager for the Ford Division. This was followed by 3 years as a General Manager of Luton Ford and Iveco in Dunstable. In 1996 he joined Carnell/Dixon Motors as General Manager of Peterborough Motorcycles before joining the Marshall Motor Group in 1999 as Head of Aftersales for their Thermo King division. Nick joined ARC in 2002. He is actively involved in Bourne Junior & Mini Rugby Club and you can also find him on LinkedIn.
Chris Dowton
Chris joined ARC in 2007 after 8 years working in the Motor Trade. He has worked extensively in sales and has experience of both prestige and volume brands. Outside of work he is a governor at a local school and Chairman of the local Scout troop. Chris is married with 3 young children.
Patrick Weilds
Patrick joined the motor trade in 1994 as a Sales Executive at Birmingham VW for Hartwell PLC having previously owned his own clothing business.Via various promotions he was appointed General Sales Manager, a role he carried out for a number of years, before transfering within Hartwell to Lexus Wolverhampton as Dealer Principal in 2003. Patrick joined ARC in 2006. He has a keen interest in property development and playing various sports including football,golf,squash and tennis. Patrick lives nr Shrewsbury in Shropshire and is married with 2 young sons.
Sue Coates
Sue has been with Automotive Recruitment for 2 years. Her early career was in the Automotive industry working for a major tyre manufacturer in sales, followed by a spell in marketing before joining a motor trade recruitment specialist in 2003.
Chris Hall
Chris joined the motor industry in 1990 as a Business Manager via London General Holdings. After working for two privately owned dealerships, he became the Business Manager for an Audi/Porsche dealership owned by AFN in 1996. After a couple of successful years he was promoted to Sales Manager for Porsche Reading in 1999. General Sales Manager positions followed with BMW before Chris moved into recruitment in 2005. Chris joined ARC in July 2009 taking responsibility for South West London and surrounding areas.
