Autowave is delighted to welcome Steve McDonald and Connor Roberts to its technical support department. They join recent recruit Giovanni De Pietro – regional sales executive – as the leading provider of car keys and programming equipment continues to strengthen its team, matching the momentum and impact it is having on the automotive aftermarket.
Steve, a seasoned master technician with nearly four decades of hands-on experience – 25 years working with Škoda – brings a deep understanding from the garage floor to Autowave’s customer service team.
At 54, Steve acknowledged moving “away from the spanners” is a bold move – but the team at Autowave have already made him feel welcome, and the trajectory Autowave is currently on made the decision to join an “easy one”.
“It’s been exciting, interesting but daunting,” Steve said of his first few days. “Coming from 38 years on the tools into a desk-based technical support role is a total change of scenery – but that’s what appealed to me. I fancied something different.
“The technical knowledge I’ve got will help,” Steve believes. “It’s a learning curve, especially on the IT side, but the support I’ve had from the team – especially Ravi (Kotecha) and Connor – has been brilliant.”
Converting technical jargon into clear guidance
Connor, meanwhile, arrives at Autowave with an IT background so brings different – but equally important – skills to Steve. His pedigree gives him a unique edge in adopting to Autowave’s replacement keys and equipment too.
Well-versed in translating technical jargon into clear, customer-friendly guidance, this will be vital when addressing queries from Autowave’s customers. He is already streamlining internal processes, helping to reduce customer response times and steadily building his knowledge of key programming and vehicle electronics.
“Even small changes can make a big difference,” he said – and his blend of tech-savviness and customer empathy is making an immediate impact.
Creating a winning culture
Switching to the sales department, Giovanni is instrumental in growing Autowave’s reach. Having joined six months ago, complementing the existing sales force, Giovanni brings energy, structure and a results-driven mindset.
With a background in inbound and outbound customer engagement, Giovanni is building and nurturing relationships with workshops, locksmiths and motor factors – supporting customers from initial enquiry to after-sales care.
“We’re on the right path,” Giovanni said. “Ravi and the rest of the team are building an environment and culture to allow the business to progress. This has translated into partnerships with both national distributors and independent motor factors – we’re now a global business, one that is growing year-on-year.”
Employing the right people crucial for success
As Autowave’s business grows, so too does the need for training, fresh talent and the continued expertise of its loyal team – recruiting the right people, therefore, is key to sustaining success.
Ravi said: “Our ambition has always been to deliver the best possible experience for our customers – not just through our equipment and services, but with a team that understands the challenges our customers face every day.
“Bringing in people, like Steve, Connor and Giovanni, means we’re committed to raising our standards further. Their skills, professionalism and enthusiasm reflect what Autowave stands for.”
