A day in the life of our Commercial Director

If you’re considering short term leasing with Cars on Demand you’ll be probably deal with our Commercial Director, Ben Tatham. This week we sat down with him and asked him about his role and what his day usually involves.

What does a typical day at Cars on Demand involve?

As the Commercial Director, I’m ultimately responsible for overseeing and managing the company’s sales and business strategy. A typical day usually starts with a quick catch up with our team at the Head Office to plan the day ahead, before speaking with our franchise branches that offer short term leasing options for individuals and businesses across the UK.

A large part of my day is usually spent arranging the placement of our latest models for our customers, who range from large corporations to small & medium enterprises looking for leasing solutions or long term car hire.

What’s your favourite element of your job at Cars on Demand?

The best part of my job is definitely getting to work with (and drive!) all the different types of cars we offer for lease. One day I could be taking delivery of a KIA Soul, our latest electric car and the next I could be arranging a short term lease on a Mercedes GLE.

We’ve got a great range of vehicle categories that our customers lease from, meaning that I get to drive everything from a Fiat 500 to a Jaguar before they make their way out on short term hire across the country.

What was your background before joining Cars on Demand?

I originally trained and worked as a professional chef, but then changed direction and pursued a career in the vehicle leasing industry. I actually worked for a national car hire company as a branch manager before I joined Cars on Demand as a Sales Executive. This gave me a solid foundation and understanding of the hire and leasing industry.

How would you say your role has evolved since you joined the company?

Since 2008, the company has grown significantly and my role has changed dramatically. I started as a Sales Executive and progressed to business development manager, where I focused primarily on developing relationships with our diverse client base and increasing awareness of our short term leasing options and how they can benefit businesses of all sizes as well as individuals.

As the Commercial Director, my main objectives currently involve supporting the wider team in the overall business strategy, increasing awareness of the Cars on Demand brand and our short term leasing options. Along my journey I have also taken on an element of marketing too, which I’m not sure I would have had the opportunity to do in another role.

What is your proudest accomplishment in this role?

My proudest accomplishment is probably getting this particular role after years of hard work!

Do you have any advice for people who would like to get into the industry?

I would definitely recommend that anyone who wants to work in this industry has an interest in cars; it’s far easier to establish and maintain relationships with customers if you are passionate about the product and service you provide.

What specialist knowledge do you have that sets Cars on Demand apart from other car leasing companies?

Our in-depth knowledge of short term leasing definitely sets us apart from other companies. We understand that customers, whether that be larger companies or start-ups, don’t always want to commit to a long term lease, which is why we offer flexible terms for short term car leasing and contract hire.

Not only do we know cars like the back of our hand, but we also have extensive experience within the industry ranging from long term car hire to contract leasing, so we are able to advise customers about their options based on their requirements, whether they’re looking for a Fiat 500 or Ferrari.

What is the most common question you get asked about short term leasing?

I would say the question I am asked the most is; “can I really just commit to a car lease for one month?”.

How do you answer it?

Yes, it’s that simple. We offer short term car leases across a huge range of cars from as little as 28 days meaning you don’t have to get tied into long commitments. See, I’m launching into my sales talk!

If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking of leasing a vehicle, what would it be?