Dave Warrener is managing director of The GTR Heritage Centre Limited. A business specialising in classic & popular Japanese sports cars (especially Nissan Skyline and the modern Nissan GT-R), undertaking restoration, body work, repair, servicing and supplying rare parts to owners.
Background
My earlier career was based in motor trade sales, quickly progressing through to management, looking after multiple dealerships and the teams within them. I held senior management positions in large motor trade groups such as Reg Vardy, Lookers and Pendragon.
How did The GTR Heritage Centre begin?
While I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of working in high pressured environments for large enterprises, I started to feel more like a number and less like a person. I decided to take a sabbatical and while considering my position, I decided to buy a broken Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R to fix & sell. I knew exactly what to do and how to fix everything, but couldn’t translate that knowledge into hands-on production. Essentially, I soon realised that my aspirations far outstripped my mechanical skills. I therefore decided my only option was to “break the car for parts” and sell them.
That turned into a profit and 5 years later, that initial £3k investment has turned into a business with forecasted annualised turnover this year of £3m.
How has the business changed over the last 3 years?
It is almost easier to say what has not changed. The easiest way to sum up the changes is that we have tripled the physical footprint of the business, while doubling staff numbers and growing our waiting list for our specialist restoration and engine building services.
What advice would you give your younger self with the benefit of hindsight?
Don’t carry bad managers, hold out for the right people as they are the foundation upon which the entire business is built. Not only is it about skilled professionals undertaking high quality work, but also how they interact with customers and overcome unforeseen problems and the odd wild or unusual request!
What has been your biggest challenge in the last 3 years?
Apart from covid and the growing recessionary pressures, I think the biggest challenge has been managing cashflow during the expansion of the business without taking on any debt funding!
What is your greatest achievement within the business?
I’m proud of my team and the quality of work they produce, so when we were asked by a global motor manufacturer and their design studio to take 2 of our classic project cars to the Geneva International Motor Show, to sit alongside their new limited edition £1m supercar, I was delighted. I think that is the greatest achievement to date, but hopefully there is more to come!
What has been most rewarding about what you and the business have achieved?
As I say, I’m immensely proud of my team and our work, so when I see people talk about us on social media, in a positive way, that is rewarding. Good comments, notes of thanks and recommendations from non-customers are especially rewarding.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
As a young man, I learned to fly a light aircraft.