Trio get on board at Dicksons car dealer in Highland capital
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Highland motor group Dicksons has announced three new board members as the company looks to the future.
Linda MacPhee, Douglas Laird and Jamie Dunlop have all been appointed directors.
Fraser Bryce, managing director of Dicksons of Inverness, said: “It is vitally important for Dicksons to plan for the future, to ensure our team members and customers’ needs always come first.
“Our existing directors have successfully navigated the business through significant growth and change over the last 30 years, and it is now time to strengthen the board with three exceptional individuals.”
Linda (37), originally from Benbecula, started as an apprentice service adviser in Inverness at 16.
Fraser said: “She quickly developed a comprehensive understanding of the complex daily challenge of a dealership’s service reception.
“Dealing with thousands of customers over a 15-year career period she earned her first promotion to workshop controller. Linda excelled in this role, looking after a large workshop of 13 male technicians.
“Despite the automotive industry being male-dominated, but given Linda’s work ethic and track record – she was headhunted by Dicksons, and began building the best aftersales team in Inverness.
“Linda transformed Dicksons’ workshop control and within 12 months was promoted to service manager. With her ability to deliver industry leading results and her unique leadership skills she was promoted to group aftersales manager after three years and now joins the board as group aftersales director.”
Douglas (40), from Inverness, started at 16 by handing his CV into every motor business in Inverness looking for a start as an apprentice.
Fraser said: “He eventually secured a position and carved out an exceptional career in the franchised parts field and 23 years on Dicksons were lucky enough to secure Douglas as group parts manager. Within a year Douglas had embraced and developed MG, Nissan, Kia and Suzuki parts sales and added Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall and DS to Dickson’s Franchised Parts Partnerships. He is now group parts director.”
Jamie (38), from Inverness, started working in accountancy around 20 years ago, spending 11 years in accountancy practices and a further three years in industry prior to joining Dicksons as financial controller in 2017.
Fraser said: “Jamie looks after the core responsibilities of the business’ financial planning and co-ordinates all budgeting, financial reporting, exploring and executing expansion opportunities.
“Dicksons has a clear agenda of growth having increased the company’s sales to around £35 million, and Jamie’s expertise has been pivotal while planning and supporting this milestone of growth.
“After five years with Dicksons, Jamie has been welcomed on to the board as finance director where he will continue to support the team towards future opportunities.”
Dicksons, which has been in Inverness since 1972, employs around 70 people at its Telford Retail Park base.
