Meet Kallum Woods: Account Manager at Warranty First

Kallum Woods is an Account Manager at Warranty First, looking after existing dealership partners while also helping new businesses get started with Warranty First. With a background spanning car sales and business development, he brings first-hand motor trade experience, a strong focus on relationships and, by his own admission, a particular enthusiasm for data and spreadsheets.

In this Q&A, Kallum talks about what great dealer support looks like, why a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works and how he somehow manages to turn every hobby into a full-scale research project.

What do you do at Warranty First?

As an Account Manager, I look after our existing dealerships while also speaking to new businesses about working with Warranty First.

How did you find your way into the motor industry and eventually to Warranty First?

I started selling cars at Mercedes-Benz in Huddersfield in 2017, which gave me my first experience of the motor industry. I then moved into business development for a company car fleet provider in Leeds before eventually making the move to Warranty First.

What does your role involve when you’re not answering questions like these?

My role involves managing relationships with our existing dealerships, bringing new businesses on board and providing general customer service and support. No two days are exactly the same, so I could be helping a dealer with a question one minute and speaking to a new business the next.

What would your colleagues say you’re the go-to person for?

Probably anything involving data because I love a spreadsheet. If something can be organised, analysed or made into a tracker, I’m usually happy to get involved!

What do you enjoy most about working with dealers and customers?

I enjoy building relationships, helping businesses succeed and finding solutions to any problems they might have. I also like getting to know the people we work with, as it creates a more personal experience and makes everyone’s job feel a little less transactional.

What’s the most satisfying problem you get to help solve?

I enjoy finding a solution to a problem that affects a lot of people, particularly when it can make something easier or more efficient going forward. Whether it involves analysing data, identifying a common issue, answering sales queries or supporting someone to improve, it’s always satisfying to see that the solution has made a difference.

In your view, what makes brilliant service and support?

I believe brilliant service should be built around the individual rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. Every customer and dealership is different, which means their circumstances and requirements will be different too. It’s important to listen, be adaptable and tailor the support we provide to what they actually need.

What’s one thing about Warranty First that might surprise people?

I think people would be surprised by just how much we genuinely try to help. We’re very open about what we do, what we offer and the different ways we can provide support. Whether it’s helping customers with their repair requests or supporting dealers with their businesses, the team will always do everything they can to find the best way forward.

What are you most excited about over the next 12 months?

As I’m new to this particular area of the motor industry, I’m excited to see how much I can learn over the next year. I’m looking forward to building on my previous experience, learning from the people around me and seeing what I can bring to the role as I become more familiar with the industry.

Finally, give us a fact about you that has absolutely nothing to do with warranties...

According to ChatGPT, I’m not a hobbyist. I have a habit of turning hobbies into full-scale projects through analysis paralysis. Apparently, I can’t just enjoy something without researching every possible way to do it first!