New Pendragon leader given a mandate for ‘customer-focused’ growth

The post-Covid years have seen an unprecedented level of change across the boardrooms of FN50 companies.

Long-standing luminaries such as Peter Cakebread (Marshall Leasing) and Mark Hammond (TCH Leasing) have retired, creating opportunities for new strategies and new directions to take hold. Others, such as Zenith CEO Tim Buchan, depart early in 2025.

This year alone, eight FN50 leasing companies have new leaders at the helm.

One of those is Pendragon Vehicle Management. After 18 years, new owners – US-based Lithia acquired both dealer group and leasing company in February - and a new focus saw managing director Neal Francis quietly step aside in July.

His replacement is Phil Wilbraham who brings a background as a chartered accountant and an appetite for growth that is matched by the new parent.

Underpinning his business strategy, though, is a simple philosophy: outstanding customer satisfaction.

The phrase echoes across the leasing sector, so what makes the new group vice president’s customer service ethos stand out amongst his peers?