About CK Recruitments

Why we exist

Most recruitment agencies treat automotive as another vertical on a generalist desk. A brief comes in for a Master Tech or a Business Manager, a generic keyword search runs, and the shortlist arrives full of near-misses. Candidates with unrelated accreditations. Sales executives whose CVs mention finance penetration but not the penetration rate. Service managers who managed a bay half the size of the one you are trying to staff.

CK Recruitments was set up to do the opposite. We are a specialist motor trade desk. Franchised dealer groups, independents, aftermarket chains, motor factors, leasing companies and fleet operators. Every consultant on the team has come from the trade or spent years exclusively recruiting in it. We know a Master Tech pathway from an entry-level Level 2, a finance penetration rate from a GAP attach rate, and a franchise F&I structure from an independent one.

What we do, plainly

We place motor trade talent for UK employers. Dealer principals, general managers, sales managers, sales executives, service managers, master and senior technicians, MOT testers, parts specialists, fleet managers, motor finance managers, EV specialists and dealer operations across the country. One consultant accountable end to end, from intake through onboarding follow-up.

How we vet

Every candidate on a CK Recruitments shortlist has been assessed against the same standard before we introduce them:

• Right-to-work confirmed before introduction
• Manufacturer accreditations, MOT tester status, and technical certifications verified
• Sales KPIs verified against actual dealer numbers, not CV headlines: volume, margin, finance penetration, GAP attach, add-on rates
• Service metrics on managers verified: RO count, hours-sold, warranty recovery, CSI scores
• Current comp package broken down (base, bonus, commission plan, company car, benefits)
• Notice period, restrictive covenants and start-date realism
• Reference and background-check readiness before we send

Every shortlist arrives with our written notes on each candidate. If we cannot articulate why a candidate meets the accreditation bar or the KPI bar, the CV does not leave our desk.

Who we work with

Our clients include franchised dealer groups across the major manufacturers, independent dealers, aftermarket chains, motor factors, leasing and contract-hire companies, fleet operators and specialist EV businesses across the United Kingdom. Dealer principals, general managers, aftersales directors and HR business partners who value trade-fluent screening and a properly researched shortlist over CV volume.

How we think about a placement

A placement is not a signed offer letter. It is the moment 12 months later when the technician is still on the bay, the sales executive is above target, the service manager has stabilised CSI scores, and the dealer principal has stopped thinking about backup plans. That is the outcome we measure ourselves against.

Our standards

• Trade-fluent screening. If we cannot articulate why a candidate meets the accreditation or KPI bar, the CV does not leave our desk.
• Tell the truth. If a brief is unrealistic for the comp band or the location, we say so before we start sourcing.
• One consultant, end to end. Same person from intake through onboarding follow-up.
• Discretion by default. Every approach is confidential. Approaches to a candidate’s current employer are coordinated with you upfront.
• Stand behind the work. Replacement guarantee on every direct-hire placement.

Want to talk?

Use the contact form and we will come back within one business day. We are available Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.