In the beginning...
Les spent his first 16 working years as a qualified motor mechanic both in New Zealand and then in London, England. For eight years he owned his own garage in London, and in his spare time he played rugby for the Wasp Rugby Club and also raced a variety of cars.
Each year he and his wife Trish would go on long holidays, including camping trips around Europe and North Africa, and visits to New Zealand.
A move back to New Zealand...
On returning to New Zealand his career path then moved to car sales where he sold both new and used cars for Mitsubishi and Honda. His next move was into Dealer Managership with Mitsubishi and then Toyota and Mercedes Benz.
For the last 20 years Les has firstly owned his own used car yard and then finally managed a used car warehouse selling used imports from Japan. This company was Provide Cars first client.
Off to Japan...
For four years Les frequently went to Japan where he and Jon French would go to the car auctions and buy cars for the New Zealand operation. This was a big learning curve for both parties! Les experienced finding new auctions to attend, driving to them and getting lost and learning everyday something new about Japan, the auctions, and how to find the best bargain buy. When Les semi-retired in 2005 he joined Provide Cars Japan as an agent helping private clients worldwide to buy a car from the Japanese auctions. He is based in Paraparaumu, New Zealand and deals with private clients wordwide.
Can he help you?...
Les offers private clients the assistance they may need during the entire buying process, including advice on mechanical and body condition, advice on the amount needed to buy each car and for New Zealand buyers a formula to work out the " on the road "costs for any car they wish to bid on. This is a very interactive process and removes a lot of fears and stress a first time auction buyer may have. Les also likes to make it a fun experience so people will enjoy their purchase.
When he is not working ...
In his spare time Les is a keen fisherman,chef and gardener and more recently has become a grandfather to a beautiful grand daughter. Les has been happily married to Trish for 45 years and has a son and a daughter, both married.
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