Description
This abstract tell businessman rescues family firm and wins uks young entrepreneur of the year.
BUSINESSMAN RESCUES FAMILY FIRM AND WINS UK’S YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
London – 21 May 2014 Henry Williams, 29, took the helm of his floundering family firm Williams
Automobiles three years ago and his turnaround strategy has secured him a national award.
Williams Automobiles has been at the heart of the Bristol community for more than 100 years and since
launching in 1911, the business has been passed down through four generations of the Williams family. It is
now run by Henry Williams who has been named the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Worldpay’s
Young Entrepreneur of the Year at a national awards ceremony.
Williams Automobiles is not a traditional dealership – after building up the business as a regional, family-
owned group representing brands such as Saab, Skoda, Suzuki, Subaru and Isuzu the business has
transformed from a franchised dealer to the ultimate dealership for British performance cars, such as
Morgan and Lotus.
Henry Williams, managing director of Williams Automobiles, comments: “The business has had a
rollercoaster of a ride since it began 103 years ago. It survived World War One and Two, but it was the
recent recession that hit the business hard. My father wanted to take a step back from the company so I
took over the reins and reinvigorated the business. My goal was to bring all the best practices from a larger
business to a low-cost, but user-friendly retail environment.
In 2011 they decided to sell the business trading from high profile, high energy premises in Bristol and
relocate the Morgan and Lotus service operation to redundant farm buildings between Bristol and Bath.
Mr Williams continues: “Having worked in the business from an early age I had a vision of where I could
take the company and, back in 2011, I knew that the timing was right to make the changes to drive the
business forward.
“The quick sale meant we had leftover stock and a Morgan franchise without a dealership – I therefore had
to start selling out of a field, whilst trying to build a new dealership. This definitely put my entrepreneurial
spirit to the test as we had a showroom to build, whilst continuing to sell and we had no internet or land
lines. Now, three years on, our turnover is more than £5million, we have three showrooms, a strong team
of 11 employees and we supply cars all over the UK and around the world. ”
Since 2011, Henry has worked tirelessly to bring every part of the business into the 21
st
century, including
the website and social media.
Henry continues: “This award means so much and to beat such an impressive line-up of people in the room
for the overall award win feels phenomenal. It’s not been an easy few years but to receive national
recognition for my efforts means a great deal. I couldn’t have done it without my family and team of
colleagues and I know they’re going to be immensely proud.”
Carol Undy, Chairman FSB (Member Services) Ltd, said: “Small businesses and the entrepreneurs behind
them are what make Britain great. Henry Williams took on the difficult task of dissecting all that was wrong
with his family’s firm before throwing his passion and years of knowledge gleaned through working his way
up in the business into reviving it. He knew that if he didn’t re-invigorate the business it would ultimately
fail. His vision to create a truly customer focused experience by adapting to market conditions and
responding to changing needs has created a business model that is both sustainable but ultimately
expandable.”
Ron Kalifa, Deputy Chairman of Worldpay said: “Williams Automobiles has raised the bar on tenacity – to
have weathered the storm in an industry that has seen local sales dip by 3.96%, and national average sale
size decline by 5.78% – shows considerable entrepreneurial passion. They, and all our other finalists this
year, have been just outstanding, which is why we’re proud to sponsor the FSB Worldpay UK Business
Awards.
Richard Reed, who is no stranger to the small business world, having founded and grown Innocent drinks
into a £200m+ business and the UK’s largest smoothie brand, delivered a motivational keynote speech and
presented the awards to the winners: “I know all too well about the daily trials and tribulations that small
businesses face but also understand they are the back bone to our economy. They must be championed for
their contribution – which is exactly what these awards do and I would like to applaud every one of the
amazing businesses and entrepreneurs in the room.”
This year almost 1,000 entries were received, an impressive 60 per cent increase on last year. The increase
indicates that small businesses, the backbone of our economy, are having a surge in feel-good factor and
are celebrating their achievements.
Category winners received a prize fund of £4,500, plus a half-day Marketing workshop. The awards
ceremony took place at the London Hilton Waldorf Hotel on 21 May 2014.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of the FSB and WorldPay by Beattie Communications. For more information, please
contact Danielle Bishop on 0113 213 0303 or Fiona Lane on 0113 213 0307 or email [email protected]
Notes to Editors
? Across the UK, motoring shoppers are spending more frequently, but on lower value sales:
o In the last 12 months, Worldpay has seen an increase in sales in the motoring industry of
13.48%. (According to Worldpay transactional data from February 2013-February 2014).
o In the last two years Worldpay has seen average sale size across the motoring industry
decrease by 5.78%. (According to Worldpay transactional data from February 2013-February
2014).
o Last year the majority of motoring shoppers preferred to pay in person, as on-site payments
accounted for 64.77% of all motoring purchases across the UK. (According to Worldpay
transactional data from January-December 2013).
? In Bristol:
o In the last 12 months, Worldpay has seen a decline in local motoring sales of 3.96%. (According
to Worldpay transactional data from February 2013-February 2014).
o Last year the majority of local motoring shoppers preferred to pay in person, as on-site
payments accounted for 88.66% of all motoring purchase in Bristol. (According to Worldpay
transactional data from January-December 2013).
About Williams Automobiles
Williams Automobiles is the ultimate dealership for British performance cars such as Morgan and Lotus.
They have been established for over 103 years and are a fourth generation family company currently run by
Henry Williams. Williams Automobiles are approved Morgan dealers and regularly have in excess of 25
Morgans on site for sale. They are also Lotus authorised repairers and have over 20 years’ experience with
the classic marque as well as Lotus cars available for sale.http://www.williamsautomobiles.com/
About Worldpay
The UK leader in payments, WorldPay helps businesses of all sizes sell more to their customers – by
accepting credit and debit card payments in-store, online, via mail or telephone, and on the move. We
handle nearly half of all card payments made on the UK High Street. Globally, WorldPay processes over 8.4
billion transactions every year. Our online payment options cater for over 200 payment types in 115
currencies. www.worldpay.com
About the FSB
The FSB is the UK's leading business organisation with around 200,000 members. It exists to protect and
promote the interests of the UK's Real-Life Entrepreneurs who run their own business. More information is
available at www.fsb.org.uk.
doc_768330030.pdf
This abstract tell businessman rescues family firm and wins uks young entrepreneur of the year.
BUSINESSMAN RESCUES FAMILY FIRM AND WINS UK’S YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
London – 21 May 2014 Henry Williams, 29, took the helm of his floundering family firm Williams
Automobiles three years ago and his turnaround strategy has secured him a national award.
Williams Automobiles has been at the heart of the Bristol community for more than 100 years and since
launching in 1911, the business has been passed down through four generations of the Williams family. It is
now run by Henry Williams who has been named the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Worldpay’s
Young Entrepreneur of the Year at a national awards ceremony.
Williams Automobiles is not a traditional dealership – after building up the business as a regional, family-
owned group representing brands such as Saab, Skoda, Suzuki, Subaru and Isuzu the business has
transformed from a franchised dealer to the ultimate dealership for British performance cars, such as
Morgan and Lotus.
Henry Williams, managing director of Williams Automobiles, comments: “The business has had a
rollercoaster of a ride since it began 103 years ago. It survived World War One and Two, but it was the
recent recession that hit the business hard. My father wanted to take a step back from the company so I
took over the reins and reinvigorated the business. My goal was to bring all the best practices from a larger
business to a low-cost, but user-friendly retail environment.
In 2011 they decided to sell the business trading from high profile, high energy premises in Bristol and
relocate the Morgan and Lotus service operation to redundant farm buildings between Bristol and Bath.
Mr Williams continues: “Having worked in the business from an early age I had a vision of where I could
take the company and, back in 2011, I knew that the timing was right to make the changes to drive the
business forward.
“The quick sale meant we had leftover stock and a Morgan franchise without a dealership – I therefore had
to start selling out of a field, whilst trying to build a new dealership. This definitely put my entrepreneurial
spirit to the test as we had a showroom to build, whilst continuing to sell and we had no internet or land
lines. Now, three years on, our turnover is more than £5million, we have three showrooms, a strong team
of 11 employees and we supply cars all over the UK and around the world. ”
Since 2011, Henry has worked tirelessly to bring every part of the business into the 21
st
century, including
the website and social media.
Henry continues: “This award means so much and to beat such an impressive line-up of people in the room
for the overall award win feels phenomenal. It’s not been an easy few years but to receive national
recognition for my efforts means a great deal. I couldn’t have done it without my family and team of
colleagues and I know they’re going to be immensely proud.”
Carol Undy, Chairman FSB (Member Services) Ltd, said: “Small businesses and the entrepreneurs behind
them are what make Britain great. Henry Williams took on the difficult task of dissecting all that was wrong
with his family’s firm before throwing his passion and years of knowledge gleaned through working his way
up in the business into reviving it. He knew that if he didn’t re-invigorate the business it would ultimately
fail. His vision to create a truly customer focused experience by adapting to market conditions and
responding to changing needs has created a business model that is both sustainable but ultimately
expandable.”
Ron Kalifa, Deputy Chairman of Worldpay said: “Williams Automobiles has raised the bar on tenacity – to
have weathered the storm in an industry that has seen local sales dip by 3.96%, and national average sale
size decline by 5.78% – shows considerable entrepreneurial passion. They, and all our other finalists this
year, have been just outstanding, which is why we’re proud to sponsor the FSB Worldpay UK Business
Awards.
Richard Reed, who is no stranger to the small business world, having founded and grown Innocent drinks
into a £200m+ business and the UK’s largest smoothie brand, delivered a motivational keynote speech and
presented the awards to the winners: “I know all too well about the daily trials and tribulations that small
businesses face but also understand they are the back bone to our economy. They must be championed for
their contribution – which is exactly what these awards do and I would like to applaud every one of the
amazing businesses and entrepreneurs in the room.”
This year almost 1,000 entries were received, an impressive 60 per cent increase on last year. The increase
indicates that small businesses, the backbone of our economy, are having a surge in feel-good factor and
are celebrating their achievements.
Category winners received a prize fund of £4,500, plus a half-day Marketing workshop. The awards
ceremony took place at the London Hilton Waldorf Hotel on 21 May 2014.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of the FSB and WorldPay by Beattie Communications. For more information, please
contact Danielle Bishop on 0113 213 0303 or Fiona Lane on 0113 213 0307 or email [email protected]
Notes to Editors
? Across the UK, motoring shoppers are spending more frequently, but on lower value sales:
o In the last 12 months, Worldpay has seen an increase in sales in the motoring industry of
13.48%. (According to Worldpay transactional data from February 2013-February 2014).
o In the last two years Worldpay has seen average sale size across the motoring industry
decrease by 5.78%. (According to Worldpay transactional data from February 2013-February
2014).
o Last year the majority of motoring shoppers preferred to pay in person, as on-site payments
accounted for 64.77% of all motoring purchases across the UK. (According to Worldpay
transactional data from January-December 2013).
? In Bristol:
o In the last 12 months, Worldpay has seen a decline in local motoring sales of 3.96%. (According
to Worldpay transactional data from February 2013-February 2014).
o Last year the majority of local motoring shoppers preferred to pay in person, as on-site
payments accounted for 88.66% of all motoring purchase in Bristol. (According to Worldpay
transactional data from January-December 2013).
About Williams Automobiles
Williams Automobiles is the ultimate dealership for British performance cars such as Morgan and Lotus.
They have been established for over 103 years and are a fourth generation family company currently run by
Henry Williams. Williams Automobiles are approved Morgan dealers and regularly have in excess of 25
Morgans on site for sale. They are also Lotus authorised repairers and have over 20 years’ experience with
the classic marque as well as Lotus cars available for sale.http://www.williamsautomobiles.com/
About Worldpay
The UK leader in payments, WorldPay helps businesses of all sizes sell more to their customers – by
accepting credit and debit card payments in-store, online, via mail or telephone, and on the move. We
handle nearly half of all card payments made on the UK High Street. Globally, WorldPay processes over 8.4
billion transactions every year. Our online payment options cater for over 200 payment types in 115
currencies. www.worldpay.com
About the FSB
The FSB is the UK's leading business organisation with around 200,000 members. It exists to protect and
promote the interests of the UK's Real-Life Entrepreneurs who run their own business. More information is
available at www.fsb.org.uk.
doc_768330030.pdf