Miles Tremlett took the ‘Customer Dedication – Independent Retail’ honours at the Mercedes-Benz Van Stars Heroes Awards.

While the usual glamorous celebration was clearly a non-starter, Mercedes-Benz Vans was determined that lockdown restrictions would not prevent it from highlighting the achievements of those from across its franchised UK network who ‘went the extra mile’ for their customers and communities during the most challenging of years.

Broadcast live from a studio in Salford, the event was brilliantly hosted for the fourth year running by sport and music radio and TV presenter Colin Murray. Sharing the stage with him – but appropriately distanced – was Mercedes-Benz Vans Managing Director Steve Bridge.

Intercounty Truck & Van represents the three-pointed star from headquarters in Wellingborough – where Miles is based when not working from home, as he is currently doing along with his Sales colleagues  – and other branches in Boston, Milton Keynes, Peterborough and Toddington.

A graduate of the Mercedes-Benz Van Talent Development Programme, the 26-year-old retails Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Vito and Citan vans to customers from the SME (small- and medium-sized enterprises) sector – described by Colin as “the lifeblood of the economy”.

Out in front

Award-winner Miles Tremlett is pictured with Intercounty Truck & Van’s Head of Van Sales Adrian George

Intercounty Truck & Van’s Head of Van Sales Adrian George cited Miles’s “dedication and consistency in going above and beyond for customers and company expectations” during a year blighted by the pandemic.

Adrian continued: “His performance throughout 2020 saw significant growth, which is remarkable when you consider the challenging marketplace in which we have been operating. Miles just keeps going, has a great sense of humour and humility, and a real understanding of people. He’s also a great guy, and a very worthy winner of this accolade.”

Accepting the award via video link, Miles was quick to praise the contributions to his success made by his Intercounty Truck & Van colleagues. “We’re in very difficult times at the moment and we’ve all been pulling together, putting in the extra hours to get everything done and keep buiness moving. It continues to be a fantastic team effort which is certainly appreciated internally and also, I believe, by the customers we serve.”

Business Management graduate Miles was working as a hotel night porter in 2017, when he spotted an advertisement and applied for the Mercedes-Benz Van Talent Development Programme. “I was looking for a role with better career prospects for the future,” he recalled. “I’d hated school, but the Mercedes-Benz training was brilliant, and I’ve not looked back since.”

Established in 2014, the ground-breaking initiative puts high-calibre individuals through a two-year course that focuses not only on sales of new and used vans, but also of services and parts. It combines formal sessions delivered at Mercedes-Benz HQ in Milton Keynes, with on-the-job training in all departments back at their dealerships. There are assignments to complete and a heavy emphasis throughout on feedback and mentoring, both from trainers and line managers.

“I’m hugely proud of the programme,” said Mercedes-Benz Vans’ Steve Bridge. “It’s produced many amazingly talented, top-quality young people like Miles, who are now out there in our sales organisation, providing customers with fantastic service.”