Vanaways targets £200m turnover in ambitious two-year expansion plan

Pictured above are Vanaways founders Adam Carter, left, and Chris Jakeways

BRISTOL-BASED vehicle brokerage Vanaways has unveiled aggressive growth targets, aiming to double its turnover to £200m within the next 24 months. This announcement follows a period of rapid expansion, with the company’s turnover surging from £15m in 2020 to £109m in 2023.

Driven by founders Adam Carter and Chris Jakeways, Vanaways is leveraging strategic investments in technology, including artificial intelligence, and a focused recruitment drive to achieve its ambitious goals. The firm is prioritising organic growth, emphasising customer service and trust as key pillars of its strategy.

"We’re aiming for £200m turnover and vehicle sales in excess of 10,000 units within the next 24 months. We’re trying to grow organically, continuing the ethos which got us where we are now. We may be turning over £100m already, but we’re only just getting started."

Adam Carter, Director, Vanaways Tweet

Vanaways says it is operating debt-free, and will be focusing on two primary drivers for future expansion: technology and talent acquisition.

In 2023, the company revamped its recruitment strategy, targeting top-tier professionals across the UK and offering flexible remote working arrangements. The firm’s current workforce stands at 70, with a mix of remote and office-based staff at its Ham Green headquarters.

“We essentially wrote a wish list of all the best staff who we’d previously worked with and who we would like to be at the company,” Carter explained. “We also took the approach that if they’re good enough, they can work from anywhere in the country.”

The company is also heavily investing in AI-driven solutions to enhance customer experience and streamline operations. Its phone system utilises AI for real-time transcription and alert management, with future plans to expand AI applications for customer acquisition and responsiveness.

“We’re investing in technology to optimise the customer experience,” Carter said. “Our phone system is already artificial intelligence-linked so that every word spoken is transcribed and any red flag words will alert managers in real time.”

Despite the focus on technological advancement, Vanaways remains committed to its core values of quality, personal service, trust, and honesty. The company’s leadership believes these principles are essential for sustained growth and establishing Vanaways as the leading vehicle brokerage brand in the UK.

Vanaways was named Best Commercial Vehicle Broker in the 2024 running of the Broker News Awards.