Meet the Lloyd Land Rover Carlisle New Car Sales Team

At Lloyd Land Rover Carlisle, we offer a premium browsing and buying experience, with the customer at the forefront of everything we do. Our innovative Land Rover Carlisle showroom and our expert welcoming staff make finding your dream Land Rover easy.

In light of Jaguar repositioning as a luxury EV brand, our Lloyd Jaguar Land Rover retailer in Carlisle will no longer be offering the sale of new Jaguar vehicles. With this transition, our priority remains the same: to provide our existing customers and new customers with exceptional care and service.

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Our retailer in Carlisle is dedicated in offering New and Approved Used Range Rover, Defender and Discovery vehicles and our expert Land Rover-trained client care team are on hand to provide service and repair work on your Range Rover, Defender and Discovery vehicles. You will still be able to visit Lloyd Jaguar Land Rover Carlisle to purchase an Approved Used Jaguar vehicle as well as any servicing and maintenance needs.

We thought now would be the perfect time to re-introduce you to our expert Land Rover New Car Sales team; We asked a few questions to learn more about the team, both inside and outside of the showroom.

Read on to get to know the fantastic people that make up the Lloyd Land Rover Carlisle New Car Sales team!

Meet the Managers! 

William Downham - General Sales Manager  

How did you get started in the motor trade?
"I was working as chef at a local hotel and I got to know the General Manager of the Vauxhall dealer in Carlisle. He asked if I had ever thought of a career in the motor trade. My answer was no however, after some thought, I decided to make a complete career change and take the opportunity he gave me...that was back in November 1985 and the rest is history."    
If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?
"Japan."

Damon Owston – Assistant Sales Manager  

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
"Over the last 26 years of working with the JLR brand, I have built long term relationships with lots of clients. These relationships become relationships of trust where the client knows and understands that we are going to deliver them an exceptional ‘client experience’ every time they need us. What I find most rewarding is when they tell me that they would never ‘go past’ Lloyd Motor Group and that they feel happy to refer their friends and colleagues to us based on their experience. It reinforces the fact that the hard work that goes in behind the scenes doesn’t go without being noticed and is massively appreciated."
What’s your favourite way to relax after a long day?
"Chilling out on the sofa in front of the TV binge watching a boxset on Netflix."


Pictured from left to right: Damon and Will.

Mark Forster - New Car Sales Manager  

What’s one thing you think sets the Lloyd Land Rover sales teams apart from others in the industry?
"One thing that is very clear is the passion for the brand. From the vehicles capability to the finish and design, our Sales Team are fully immersed in the product. I love to hear the Sales Executive’s story telling their own 4x4 experiences they have enjoyed while working with JLR."
What’s one thing on your bucket list you’re determined to tick off?
 "I would love to go to the JLR Ice Academy in Sweden and drive this fantastic brand on a frozen lake."

Tom Johnston - Business Manager   

Talk us through a typical day in your role.
"My general day starts with actioning any enquiries we have had overnight. I also prepare any finance agreements for the weeks handovers. Throughout the day, I will work closely with all the sales staff whilst presenting figures to customers who are looking to upgrade their cars. Customer service and people management are my main roles during the day."
If you’re going out for a meal, would you rather have a starter and a main, or a main and a dessert?
"Not many people know this but I was on BBC MASTERCHEF 2024 and I got to the semi finals so I like to mix it up with the courses . I am more of a savoury guy so starter/main is my go to."

Pictured from left to right: Mark and Tom.

Meet the New Car Sales Executives!
 

Afzol Miah - New Car Sales Executive  

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned working in car sales?
“Patience and how important it is to listen and understand the client's needs. Using our knowledge to help direct the client to the perfect Land Rover”.
If you could spend a day with any famous person, past or present, who would it be?
“Thierry Henry – My sons middle name is Theirry and I would love for us to meet him together…can someone make this happen?”

Dan Newton - New Car Sales Executive 

How do you stay organised and manage your tasks throughout the day?
"I like to get into work early so I have an hour to myself before the day begins, that way I can set my to do list and organise/prioritise my day, as well as use the time to catch up on emails and paperwork so I’m ready for the day ahead! We also have a fantastic internal diary system which is essential for keeping us all organised."
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
"Teleportation! I’d love to see more of the world and to be able to hop from one place to the next would make that so much easier, quicker and cheaper! (I’m also not the best traveller, especially at sea…)."


Pictured from left to right: Dan and Afzol.

Jonathan Close - New Car Sales Executive  

What is a recent accomplishment you’re proud of at work?
"I recently completed a JLR Aspiring Managers course. It was a 12 month course, that took me out of my comfort zone, including role play and presentations."
What’s the best concert or live performance you’ve ever been to?
"I went to Glastonbury this year. Coldplay weren’t top of my list to see, but they were absolutely incredible!"

Abbie Barnes- New Car Sales Executive  

What’s your favourite car from the Land Rover lineup, and why?
"My favourite car from the Land Rover line up would have to be the Range Rover Sport. It is the height of luxury and extremely comfortable to drive... without being as long as the full-sized Range Rover meaning easier for me to park!"
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have three items, what would they be?
"It would be my phone, hair straighteners and my dog (if I could class her as an item!)"

Stuart Jackson- New Car Sales Executive  

How do you celebrate your successes, both big and small?
"I don’t really celebrate successes as such – however I absolutely love Indian food, so if there’s any reason/excuse at all (big or small) to go out and eat, we’ll do that."
What’s your favourite season, and why?
"Summer – longer days (so you can do ‘stuff’ when you get home from work), warmer weather (hopefully), usually a holiday or two to look forward to, barbeques with family/friends etc. Just an overall more sociable time of year."

Pictured from left to right: Jonathon, Stuart and Abbie.

The Lloyd Land Rover Carlisle retail centre is the perfect place to choose your New Land Rover. As motor industry leaders, we go above and beyond every step of the way as you journey through the experience of owning a luxurious Land Rover vehicle; the multiple awards we have received over recent years are testament to this. Land Rover Carlisle's state-of-the-art showroom really replicates Land Rover’s reputation for quality British design.

Customers are able to browse, try and choose their Land Rover vehicles in an innovative and luxurious setting that incorporates the latest technological developments in showroom displays.

Visit Lloyd Land Rover Carlisle today and experience the excellence of Land Rover paired with our unparalleled customer service today.