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Barford-based business, Cooper Solutions marks its continued investment in experienced and specialist professionals with the recent appointments of Ian Batchelder, Account Executive, Adam Trinder, Internal Account Manager and Paddy Chadderton, Account Manager.

Ian joins the FullCover and FullCompliance teams which marks a career change from his previous role as a chemistry teacher. At Cooper Solutions he will draw upon his communication and organisational skills and be responsible for building strong client relationships and long term retention enjoyed by Cooper Solutions. Ian will also be responsible for overseeing the implementation of FullCover and FullCompliance for new users, as well as supporting clients following installation.

“Joining Cooper Solutions, with its strong reputation in the motor retail market, was a chance to join an engaged and well established business,” says Ian. “I relish the opportunity to try something completely new but which will make the most of my communication and organisational skills. This is an exciting challenge in a thriving company that is completely new territory for me.”

Adam Trinder has been appointed Internal Account Manager for FullAuction, having gained experience of working with dealerships in his previous role at a marketing company with a focus on utilising dealers’ customer data.

“Having worked alongside dealerships of all sizes in the past, I am keen to learn about all the systems Cooper solutions offer, whilst continuing to develop my knowledge of the industry,” comments Adam. “Cooper Solutions is known for its ability to deliver innovative solutions that go a long way in helping dealers with the day to day running of their business and I’m delighted to be joining its team.”

Paddy Chadderton joins Cooper Solutions as Account Manager for FullAuction and FullAppraisal bringing over 18 years of prior automotive industry experience. Paddy previously worked as a business manager and sales executive with dealer groups such as Hartwell & Listers. More recently, he worked on account management and new business sales at ABAX and Jaama Ltd.

Paddy comments: “As Account Manager I will be building on my previous experience and sound knowledge of the industry. I know first-hand how Cooper Solutions’ products can make a positive impact on the day to day running of a dealership and I look forward to developing strong productive working relationships with the dealer groups we partner with.”

Barry Cooper, Managing Director, Cooper Solutions adds: “Our products have been developed based on years of experience within the motor industry, matching retailers’ needs with our innovative software solutions; it’s therefore crucial that our team recognises and understands the ever changing challenges faced by retailers.

“We’re always keen to ensure our team is made up of a diverse range of people with different skills as they will naturally have different, creative ways of approaching their work and challenges. Ian, Adam and Paddy bring with them a wealth of knowledge to the Cooper Solutions team and a strong appreciation of the positive solutions our systems bring to customers.”

June 2017

On Friday 28th April 2017, Safeline held its first Charity Ball at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The event was a huge success raising more than £10,000 for the charity fund. Louise James and Mark Tolliss provided the entertainment during the evening, and guests enjoyed a delicious three course meal, raffle and bidding on auction lots which included a three- day yacht charter in Majorca. Graeme Birch of Manor Investments (Birmingham) Ltd acted as auctioneer.

Neil Henderson of Safeline said: ‘This was our first ever ball and we did it because we wanted to raise awareness of the wonderful work we do. Unfortunately, sexual abuse and rape is prevalent in our community and by raising awareness of our existence, people will be able to find us and access the support they so desperately need to help them cope and recover. The night was a real celebration from start to finish and we intend to make the ball an annual event.’

Neil continued to mention the support from the local community, including organisation by Cooper Solutions Ltd, provision of wonderful centrepieces by Blueberry Balloons, and generous donations of raffle and auction prizes.

April 2017

Cooper Solutions held a hackathon on Saturday in support of Safeline, a local charity that works to prevent sexual abuse and help anyone affected.

A hackathon is not related to breaking into computer systems, but a problem-solving process usually hosted by a software company over a day or weekend. The event enables developers to pitch new ideas and to use their software in new ways.

Cooper Solutions has been working with Safeline in many ways to assist with raising the charity’s profile and helping raise funds. For the last three months, Cooper Solutions Analyst Rahul Mohanachandran has been working with Safeline developing a new process that will enable the charity to become a digital charity. By digitalising its client management system, Safeline employees and volunteers will be able to focus on their specialist counselling work and spend less time on administrative tasks.

This led to Barford-based business organising the event, which was attended by software professionals from three different Midlands-based companies, to further develop the project.

Ben Felt, Cooper Solutions Development Manager, said “Writing free software isn’t a new idea (open source software has been around a while) but I think it’s significant that software professionals in our area are contributing their time and talents to tackle social issues that affect our community. The Midlands is blessed with a lot of technical talent and if the “charity hackathon” trend were to spread, we could have a real impact on society. Donations are always important but sometimes it’s just a matter of figuring out how to put your talents to use.”

Based in Warwick, Safeline provides a range of specialist services including face to face and online counselling, abuse prevention projects for vulnerable children and young people, support for people who may or may not choose to report the abuse to the police, a national helpline which provides emotional support, information and advice and tailored training for professionals and parents who have a role to play in protecting and supporting people affected by abuse.

Neil Henderson CEO of Safeline said, ‘this project is crucial in helping to transform the way the charity works. Currently, we have a manual data capture and reporting system. There are gaps in the data we need and reporting is cumbersome and labour intensive. This project will generate detailed, real time information that will enable us to manage all aspects of the charity in a really efficient and effective way; the benefits generated will enable us to protect and support even more people affected by abuse’

November 2016

Cooper Solutions continues to focus on the quality of its people, with the appointment of Chris Rich as Account Manager and Alison Cloonan as Business Development Manager. With nearly 40 years’ motor industry experience between them, Alison and Chris will play a key role in maximising customer relationships, bringing with them added value through their first-hand knowledge of Cooper Solutions’ business enhancing products and services.

Chris Rich began his motor retail career at BMW where he progressed to Sales Manager and finally General Manager for Cotswold BMW Gloucester. After 18 years with BMW, Chris was appointed General Manager for Bentley at Broughtons. His role at Cooper Solutions will see him draw upon his own user experience of its range of services offered and understanding of how they can enable dealers to get the very best from their business processes and practices.

“Cooper Solutions is the perfect fit for me, as it combines innovative integrated solutions with a company culture which focuses on excellent customer service,” says Chris Rich of his new role. “As Business Development Manager, I will be helping retailers maximise the value of the Cooper Solutions products on a daily basis. By making reporting easier we not only help retailers manage their business more effectively but boost profitability.”

Alison Cloonan joins Cooper Solutions after 18 years at PCR Robins & Day, where she was Used Car Sales Manager. She also has extensive experience of benefiting from the Cooper Solutions product portfolio and is a particular advocate of its FullAuction and FullForecast solutions.

Alison comments, “I have launched, over 1,000 cars on FullAuction and I understand how incorporating FullAuction and FullAppraisal can truly speed up retailer processes and look forward to working closely with customers to ensure they get the best out of these market leading applications.”

Managing Director, Barry Cooper, explains, “Our products are developed using years of experience in the motor industry, matching retailers’ needs with our innovative software solutions. So, it’s important that we continue to grow a team that recognises and understands the challenges retailers face.

“Chris and Alison bring a wealth of experience to Cooper Solutions, making them valuable additions to our Management team. Both coming from the retail sector, I am confident that Alison and Chris will immediately establish strong relationships, built on an understanding and an appreciation of what our solutions can do for our customers.”

November 2016