Behind the Scenes: North East and Scotland Head of Sales and Head of Operations for Dawsongroup Vans

Trevor Mewes, Regional Head of Sales, and Mark Dixon, Regional Operations Manager, cover the North East and Scotland region for Dawsongroup vans. They ensure the smooth running of the branches in their area – located in Glasgow, Stockton and Newcastle – and that their customers are always happy.

With twenty years’ at Dawsongroup between them, plus another couple of decades supporting industries with their LCV needs before that, Trevor and Mark have plenty of experience. Having worked together in their current roles since 2013, they know just how to collaborate to keep everything running like clockwork. Trevor’s sales team provide market-leading service to customers, whilst Mark’s team carry out maintenance and servicing, keeping the vehicles moving and the customers content. Across the UK, their vans keep the cogs of the supply chain turning.

One of Trevor and Mark’s achievements is the expansion of their fleet to over 3300 vans on rent across industries ranging from florists to pest control, and everything in between. On a more personal level, Trevor’s biggest accomplishment with Dawsongroup vans was setting up the Newcastle depot, from finding premises to getting staff on board and making it all operational. For Mark, it’s the people management side which he is especially pleased about. He’s very proud of his team and, as all the staff do, he treats it as family more than a job.

Both Mark and Trevor see building relationships with staff as essential to an effective team. They stay in touch with all their staff at the different branches, including visiting each one in person on a regular basis. Trevor checks in with his team daily, giving advice or assistance where needed to make sure everyone achieves their individual and team targets, whilst Mark works with his team to keep maintenance, service standards and MOT completions at the high level expected. They work together closely to keep the business moving forwards consistently.

“No two days are the same,” said Mark. “There’s always something to come into work for, and it’s been a privilege to work here as I actually feel valued. There’re not many places you can have regular conversations with the Managing Director. The speed of leadership we have means we can always adapt to our customers’ needs, and I’m always being pushed to keep progressing and being supported in that. It really feels like you’re part of a bigger family.”

With the recent refurbishment and expansion of the Newcastle office, as well as positive changes in the company as a whole, Dawsongroup is prepared for whatever the future may bring. Our Smarter Asset Strategy provides bespoke solutions for companies in every industry and across the supply chain, whilst maintaining the key values of a family-run business.

“Dawsongroup vans is almost unrecognisable from when I first started working here,” said Trevor. “One example is tippers – back then we had none, now we have thousands. Initially, we were almost hand to mouth, and we had to be reactive most of the time; now we can plan ahead as we have the backup and infrastructure we need. Everyone knows what they should be doing for the greater good.”

Outside of work, Trevor’s proudest achievement is his children. He was also the 100m sprint Newcastle city champion in 1982. Mark loves to travel and spent a whole year travelling around the world in 2005, with highlights including visiting Fiji and an 8-hour hike along the Great Wall of China.

Mark and Trevor both have the ambition of wanting to expand their region and open at least one more new satellite office. Whilst they are happy in their current roles, they would also both be interested in progressing to roles with more national coverage.

“I’d like to thank Dawsongroup for the opportunities,” said Trevor, “and for supporting us through the years.”

If you are interested in joining the Dawsongroup vans team, or any other part of Dawsongroup, check out our careers. Find out more about our Smarter Asset Strategy.