A Bowker Group manager is set to run his first marathon since a snowmobile accident nearly cost him his leg 11 years ago.

In February 2013, Group Implementation Manager Richard Cowell sustained serious injuries, including a six-inch bone-deep gash in his leg, after losing control of a snowmobile and colliding with a tree at approximately 50mph. The accident happened during a trip in Vancouver sponsored by BMW. 

On the 14th of April, Richard from Rawtenstall will compete in the Adidas Manchester Marathon, the UK’s second-largest marathon. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and support for runners of all levels, the event is an ideal platform for Richard’s first-ever marathon challenge.

He hopes to raise funds for Kieran’s Angels, a charity group formed for his friend, Kieran Keigher, which supports cancer research in the UK.

BMW has continued its impressive run at the coveted Fleet News Awards, securing the Fleet Manufacturer of the Year title for the sixth consecutive year in 2024. This achievement is particularly significant as the award is voted for by Fleet News readers, who are certified fleet decision-makers, reflecting the brand’s strong reputation across the wider sector.

The award ceremony was held on the 13th of March at Grosvenor House in London, where the achievements of the fleet industry were celebrated in style. In addition to the Manufacturer of the Year accolade, BMW also triumphed in individual vehicle categories. The BMW i4 claimed the Best Premium Car title, acknowledging its leading position in the premium electric vehicle market and its appeal to corporate customers and company car drivers.

Furthermore, the new BMW 5 Series was named Best Executive Car, solidifying its position as a leading choice for business users in the UK. Launched in October 2023, the eighth-generation BMW 5 Series fuses advanced technology with an elegant and sporting saloon style, generous space, and exceptional refinement. The BMW 5 Series offers a choice of powertrains – petrol, plug-in hybrid, and the all-electric BMW i5, providing fleet customers complete flexibility depending on the needs of their drivers.

Matt Collins, General Manager of Corporate Sales at BMW UK, said, “We are immensely proud to be recognised once again as Fleet Manufacturer of the Year, and I’d like to express my sincere thanks to Fleet News and its readers for their continued support and recognition. We are also delighted to receive individual accolades for the BMW i4 and 5 Series. These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and our commitment to delivering vehicles that meet the evolving needs of the fleet sector.”

The Fleet News Awards are well-known for their meticulous judging process and focus on real-world fleet usage, thanks to a panel of industry-leading judges, making BMW’s continued success at these awards a testament to the brand’s leadership in the fleet sector.

For further information on BMW’s award-winning fleet and corporate offerings, please visit https://www.bowkermotorgroup.co.uk/bmw/bmw-business-and-corporate-sales

Bowker BMW and Ribby Hall Village have confirmed a two-year sustainability partnership extension. 

The relationship began 12 years ago, in 2011. It began with a shared commitment to sustainability that continues today. The partnership extension includes an all-electric BMW iX1, a courtesy vehicle for the Village.

Located in Wrea Green, Ribby Hall Village emphasises sustainable business practices. Ribby Hall Village is a previous winner of the title Green Business of the Year. The Village’s initiatives include promoting energy efficiency, supporting local businesses, and working to divert all its waste away from landfills. Their aim is to maximise recycling efforts.

Bowker, meanwhile, received a national BMW UK Retailer Award for the car centre’s commitment to sustainability in 2023. The family-owned business invested almost £2 million in sustainability initiatives in 2022 alone and appointed an Energy Champion to help reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

Jonathan Rogan, head of business for Bowker BMW, said: “Bowker and Ribby Hall Village are a great example of two local Lancashire businesses creating value for customers the right way. For Bowker, that means looking after the environment. The emission-free BMW iX1 is a great vehicle choice for Ribby Hall Village.”

The partnership between Bowker BMW and Ribby Hall Village centres on a shared commitment to sustainability. Both parties have agreed on actions that reflect their shared goals for environmentally conscious operations.

John McIlwham, director at Ribby Hall Village, said: “The fact that our partnership with Bowker has lasted for 12 years speaks volumes about our relationship together. When businesses that share the same values come together, we can work together and inspire each other to improve continually. The BMW iX1 will be used for our guests.”

The Corporate Key Account Manager at Bowker BMW has become one of the first in the country to achieve a new BMW Corporate Certified and Business Sales Skills certificate. 

Sue Singleton, who works for Bowker BMW with centres in Blackburn and Preston, was originally in the very first cohort and completed accreditation with the second cohort and is one of the first 23 corporate experts in the UK BMW network to achieve the certification. 

This certification is part of the Corporate Certified programme launched in January 2023. The new accreditation focuses on improving the corporate customer buying experience across the BMW and MINI retailer network. 

Sue’s training covered a rigorous programme designed by BMW UK to help certified retailers focus on the corporate customer experience. The result will benefit BMW owners with a uniform customer journey and establish quantifiable benchmarks.

Sue Singleton, Corporate Key Account Manager at Bowker BMW, said: “The training covered many diverse areas of my corporate role. Everything from finance to the way electric vehicles are transforming the customer experience. I learned a lot. We always set ourselves high standards. However, achieving the latest certificate guarantees that Bowker corporate customers will receive the highest standard of service.”

Richard Cowell, Group General Sales Manager, said: “Congratulations to Sue on becoming one of the first in the country to achieve the new certification. I know how hard she has worked and she deserves this success. The Corporate Certified programme is a significant step in our commitment to delivering exceptional service in the corporate vehicle sales sector. With her accreditation, Sue will now play a crucial role in delivering the high customer experience and business sales standards for which Bowker is renowned.”

BMW UK has introduced the initiative to distinguish BMW in the corporate sector. The training included detailed insights on the increasing mix of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), which typically require more intensive customer interaction. 

Training is a crucial element of the new Corporate Certified programme, with courses provided at the BMW Group Academy near Reading. This training aims to enhance knowledge and understanding of the corporate sector. 

Bowker BMW is already a Corporate Certified Retailer. This means the centre commits to providing enhanced service and support tailored to fleet managers, company car drivers, and leasing companies.

The centre promises industry-leading response times to enquiries, with service online requests answered within five minutes. For repairs, the team commits to triage within 24 hours to support parts ordering and technician requirements, with follow-up appointments scheduled within seven working days or three days if a warning light is showing.

The centre offers both collection and local delivery options for new cars, ensuring a premium handover experience with minimal delivery emissions.

Staff at Bowker BMW have donated over 50 gifts to The Wish Centre – a refuge for women and children affected by domestic abuse

The gift collection focused on a ‘Gifting Tree’ in the reception area at Bowker BMW on Trident Way in Blackburn. The tree was decorated with tags, each featuring information about a current resident of The Wish Centre. 

Visitors and staff were encouraged to take a tag and replace it with a present for the individual, described as a gesture of support and goodwill. 

For Bowker BMW managing director Chris Eccles said: “This initiative is a meaningful way for our community to directly support those in need, especially during the festive season. We hope that the simple act of giving a gift will help to spread some seasonal goodwill for the lives of the residents at The Wish Centre”

The Wish Centre’s primary goal is to provide assistance to those who have experienced or are at risk of domestic abuse. This includes offering support, advice, and accommodation, as well as working with victims and their families to ensure safety and aid in their overall development and well-being.

For the Wish Centre, Rebekah Wilson said: “We are very grateful for Bowker BMW’s support. The centre aims to empower and assist individuals affected by domestic abuse to grow and reach their full potential. The support from initiatives like the Gifting Tree is a step in the right direction, especially at a time when support from those closest to us is so important.”

For more information about The Wish Centre and its services, visit www.thewishcentre.org

Staff from Bowker BMW in Preston have joined forces to donate presents to this year’s ‘Give a Gift’ campaign. The campaign, organised by the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity, aims to provide Christmas gifts to patients in hospital during the festive season.

The ‘Give a Gift’ campaign runs every Christmas to ensure that all Royal Preston and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital patients of all ages receive a gift on Christmas Day. The campaign’s primary goal is to offer comfort and a sense of community to those in hospital during a period traditionally spent with family.

Bowker director Jonathan Rogan said: “The ‘Give a Gift’ campaign is a great idea. We were pleased to support hospital patients facing challenging times during the holiday season. It struck a chord with Bowker staff, too. Everyone got involved with many generous donations.”

Stagecoach donated a bus for the charity team to visit Bowker and other workplaces, businesses, and schools to collect gifts from across Preston and beyond. The items they collected included gift sets, toiletries, books, stationery, and children’s toys – a little bit of everything for patients of different ages and needs.

In addition to physical gifts, the charity also welcomed monetary donations, suggesting a contribution of £5.00 to fund a gift for a patient. This aspect of the campaign provided an alternative means for individuals to contribute, broadening the participation base.

From Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity, Dan Hill, Head of Charities, said: “Thank you to Bowker BMW and their staff for supporting this year’s ‘Give a Gift’ campaign. The generosity of businesses and the wider community greatly affects our efforts. No one chooses to be in hospital at Christmas. So, a gift can help to let patients know we’re thinking about them. It’s not just about the gifts, but the message of care and compassion.”

Once donated, the charity carefully manages the distribution of gifts in collaboration with clinical staff. This means the right gifts are distributed to the correct wards. Last year’s ‘Give a Gift’ supplied over 800 gifts to patients.