Neil Jacob (pictured left) has been appointed dealer principal at S&B Commercials after the Mercedes-Benz dealer was taken over by Imperial Commercials last year.

“We have a great team of people and some fantastic facilities,” said the company’s new dealer principal. “My main task initially is to strengthen relationships by getting out to meet more of our customers, while also overseeing a £400,000 programme of investment in our existing properties.”

S & B Commercials represents Mercedes-Benz and Fuso trucks in Essex, Hertfordshire, and North London. It employs 275 people and operates from headquarters in Welham Green, and from other principal sites at Hatfeld, Stansted and West Thurrock.

Imperial Holdings SA, owner of Imperial Commercials, purchased S&B Commercials from the Holmes family.

“The acquisition was all about taking a successful company and giving it the opportunity and resource to develop and fulfil its potential,” said Jacob.

“We’re just completing a process of introducing all staff members to Imperial’s values, which simply reinforce the family business ethos that was already in place. It’s a culture we’re keen to retain.”

He continued: “Mercedes-Benz is a fantastic, exciting brand and has never been in better shape in terms not only of its product line-up, but also of its vision. For our part,

“Over the coming months we’ll therefore be working hard to build awareness locally of the S&B Commercials name, and of the Mercedes-Benz and Fuso products and services we have to offer. We’re also investing heavily to bring our facilities and systems up to the standard that will enable us to secure accreditation as a Mercedes-Benz Van ProCenter, with all that implies in terms of industry-leading customer service levels.”

Jacob graduated in law and worked in asset finance before taking his first commercial vehicle industry job in 1995, as an area executive for a Swedish truck builder.

He went on to hold senior management positions with that manufacturer, and with another, before joining Imperial in 2011 to oversee key accounts and play a key role in liaising with VOSA – now the DVSA – on the development of its outsourced Authorised Testing Facility (ATF) programme.