In a recent interview with AM Online, Marshall Motor Holdings’ Group CEO Daksh Gupta discussed the group’s strong financial performance in 2020 and the possibility of repaying the Government furlough grants, should they have the opportunity.
This follows the forward-thinking HR strategy put in place during the first UK lockdown, when Daksh made the tough decision to furlough around 90% of the workforce, with generous steps to enhance colleague pay to 100% for Marsh, 90% for April and 85% for May – all without the CJRS cap of £2,500 per month.
We had the opportunity to speak with Daksh, following the hurdle of the peak spring lockdown, to discuss his successful strategy and lockdown learnings in our publication 2020: The year that changed everything. Daksh’s pride in Marshall Motor Holding’s reputation of having been ranked for six consecutive years in the best UK Workplaces was clear, and the impact of the pandemic did not stir his dedication to the Marshall’s workforce.
“It is easy to be a great place to work when times are good but when times are tough and employees need help, that’s when you need to stand up and be there for your people.”
Around just 400 of Marshall’s workforce of 4,300+ employees currently remain on furlough, according to Gupta, but he was already planning the return to the office in the latter half of 2020. Daksh was keen to return to a sense of normality even then, and said:
“We will absolutely be returning people to our business when it is appropriate to do so. This will definitely be more flexible than pre-COVID, and though the details are yet to be determined I imagine we will form a blend between the two working styles.”
It appears that this is exactly what Marshalls accomplished: a perfect blend of flexible working, with both personal safety and business objectives in mind.
Daksh takes pride in upholding Marshall Motor Holdings as an inclusive employer and actively participates in diversity and inclusion focused events and initiatives, such as Ennis & Co and Auto Trader’s annual Making Diversity and Inclusion a Business Reality event where he participated as a guest speaker.
We are also proud to have Marshall Motor Holdings on board as a 2021 sponsor of the Drivers of Change competition, as a representative of an incredible and inclusive automotive employer. This initiative encourages individuals to join the automotive sector and share their innovative ideas for the future of the retail, technology, and digital areas.
The world of automotive retail is certainly developing at a dramatic pace. With an increased focus on digital selling and adapting to meet the needs of clients from a remote location, the need for an adaptable and skilled workforce has never been so prominent.
Marshall Motor Holdings now consists of 113 franchises representing 22 brand partners trading in 28 counties nationwide and their scale and diverse portfolio place them in good stead to succeed in an ever-changing market. They are not only an inclusive employer and great place to work, but also a strong organisation to join in the first step of your automotive career.
