Brent Wilkinson
Motorhome Valeter
Experienced valetter Brent joined Southdowns in September 2011, having spent most of his working life in the car trade.
Q How did you find yourself working for Southdowns?
A I was working for Imperial Cars in Portsmouth as a Valetter where I’d been for
about nine years but was made redundant in 2011. I knew Southdowns already as I
had sold a motorhome through the company a few years ago, so when I heard from a
contact that they were looking for someone, I approached them for a job. I have
spent most of my working life cleaning cars so I knew bigger vehicles would be
hard work but the company was recommended as a good employer and I thought it
would make a change to work on motorhomes.
Q What does your job involve?
A I am part of a four-man valetting team and between us we clean all the
vehicles inside and out. We’re given a list and have to work through it, giving
priority to motorhomes that have been sold to get them ready for handover to the
customer. Then we tackle everything else. Sometimes we also clean vans for
customers who have brought their vehicle into the workshop for a service.
Q What is the best thing about working for the company
A The best thing for me is that Southdowns is a very friendly place to work. The
money’s good, I work with a good bunch of people, there is a good team spirit
and the managers are approachable. That isn’t always the case.
Q Do you have a personal interest in motorhomes?
A I do like working on the motorhomes and used to have one myself but I got fed
up with having to pack it up and empty it every time we went away. Now I’ve got
a static caravan at Seaton in Devon and try and spend as much time down there as
possible.
Brent lives in Southampton with his wife Diane. He has two grown up sons and in a former life was a scrutineer for the Tigers Motorbike Display Team.
Brent was interviewed in 2012.
