Winner: Paul Parkinson
Pictured above: Paul Parkinson receives the Editor’s Award from Broker News Editor Ralph Morton
About the winner:
PAUL Parkinson began his career as a mechanical engineering apprentice in 1980. He has since gone on to spend more than four decades in automotive.
Paul has held roles across the breadth of the sector. He worked in automotive parts, then moved into sales – with stints at Nissan, Vauxhall and Volvo. Sales and general management positions followed at franchised dealerships plus group level roles across multi-franchises.
But it was in vehicle broking that Paul Parkinson is better known.
In 2006, Paul set up Synergy Car Leasing. After 17 successful years at the helm, he sold 100 per cent of the business to investors Newable – in itself an achievement to be applauded. But that’s not the reason for Paul winning the Editor’s Award.
“The award this year went to Paul Parkinson for the incredible contribution he has made to the broking sector. The continuous work he has done to publicise the role of leasing brokers in the wider automotive community - and the impact of brokers on sales figures - along with successfully leading two BVRLA Leasing Broker Conferences, needed to be recognised.”
Ralph Morton, Editorial Director, for Broker News Tweet
The editor’s award went to Paul for a number of reasons:
Leadership of the broker community
Paul spent almost nine years on the BVRLA Leasing Broker Committee, including two years as Chair and one as Vice Chair. Not only that, but Paul successfully led the broker community through three world crises.
Raising the profile of brokers
Paul has highlighted what brokers bring to the automotive sector. He has showcased the significance of broker numbers and created significant positive noise about our sector.
Gaining BVRLA recognition of broking for the first time
In a first this year, and certainly helped by Paul’s tireless work, the BVRLA recognised the broking sector at its annual dinner. And not just once, but with three awards. One for XLCR, a runners up spot for Gofor and the Freddie Aldous award for Lex Autolease’s Steve Cocks.
What the winner said:
‘It is a privilege to receive this award from Broker News. Ralph and the whole team at Broker News genuinely support the leasing broker sector, and I believe are a major contributor to its professionalisation and improved recognition by motor manufacturers and new entrant funders seeing the market opportunity. ‘My leasing broker journey has given me the opportunity to be part of a dynamic and exciting sector and I’m thankful for the support of colleagues, suppliers and of course the BVRLA. ‘It’s great to see the bright future for leasing brokers and the new and highly capable entrants driving further success.’
Paul Parkinson Tweet

Winner profiles in association with Leasing.com
Leasing.com invented car leasing comparison in the UK and for the last 24 years has been helping leasing brokers to promote their offers to consumers and businesses in order to generate high-quality leads and happy customers.

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Laura is a writer and Head of Marketing for Broker News, with extensive automotive experience from senior marketing roles with RBS/Nat West, Lombard Vehicle Management and Unipart. She is also a self-confessed petrol-head.