In the last Motor Spy we mentioned the OBE awarded to
Christopher Macgowan of BEN and formerly of the SMMT, but not the
OBE awarded at the same time to Sarah Sillars, chief executive of
the Institute of the Motor Industry and vice-president of BEN.
Congratulations to Sillars, who was honoured for her services to
skills training and to the automotive retail industry.
Ling, the business role model?
Controversial and outspoken Sino-Geordie motor finance broker
Ling Valentine, she of rocket launcher and hyperactive website
(LingsCars.com) fame, has a new outlet for her views – in the pages
of Viz magazine, as the publication’s new ‘Business Ambassador’.
Chosen, according to the magazine’s editor Hampton Doubleday,
because she is “completely barking mad”, Valentine will share her
insights into the business world with Viz’s readers. She says: “I’m
not sure what my role in the comic will be, but Hampton told me it
will probably involve my nuclear missile truck and two flat snags.
I have no idea what that is, but he told me it is a common term for
English girls. I will also offer motoring tips, such as ‘don’t wash
your car – simply rent a new one from me!’” She’s also recently
branched out into selling phones, at LingsMobiles.com, although she
says this is just an “affiliate” site at present.
If it’s good enough for Jeeves…
The car leasing world isn’t the most glamorous of milieux, but
sometimes our world and that of Planet Celebrity share a brief
orbit. The news that Stephen Fry, comedian, author, actor and
general all-round National Treasure, leases his car is one such
occasion. Fry, who has just taken delivery of his second vehicle
from short-term lessor Flexxilease, says he first heard of the
benefits of leasing rather than purchasing while in the US. “The
real joy of leasing is that you always have a new car, in perfect
condition that you can change if the whim takes you. I love trying
out new models, so for me short term leasing of different vehicles
is a great way to go,” he says. Flexxilease’s minimum contract
length of three months is particularly handy for filming periods,
Fry adds.
Mountains and memories
Following the sad death of John McNamara, former MD of North
Riding Finance, who died in February after a long battle with
cancer, eight friends and former colleagues are to undertake the 3
Peaks Challenge in his memory, in order to raise money for Martin
House Hospice. Richard Hoggart and Mark Gow of DSG Financial
Services, John Graeme and Phil Stamp of North Riding Finance, Jason
Francis of Welcome Finance, Shaun Carroll of Hitachi Capital UK,
Mike McCann of Fortis Lease and Richard Carter of icenet will climb
Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon in 24 hours at the start
of September. Best of luck to them; if you wish to donate to this
excellent cause, visit justgiving.com/jonnymc3peaks.
Motor Finance Issue: 45 – July 08
Published for the web: July 28 08 9:26
Last Updated: July 28 08 12:11
