MERCEDES sales manager John Wadey has two reasons to celebrate.

Not only has he swapped the car showroom for a Kent truck and van dealership after outgrowing his old office, but has just been named Mercedes-Benz van sales academy member of the year.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the accolade recognises the impact John has made since arriving at the Sittingbourne-based Sparshatts of Kent, as well as his previous achievements at car retailer Mercedes-Benz Dartford, where he ran the van sales operation.

The 41-year-old from Swanley saw off competition from 180 sales managers and executives across the UK Mercedes commercial vehicle network to claim the award.

After two years at MB Dartford, Big John - as he’s known to everyone in Mercedes circles - felt the time was right to expand his horizons by taking up the new position of van sales manager, based at Sparshatts’ headquarters on the Eurolink Industrial Estate.

“I’m a big man with a big personality,” he said. “I’d grown too large for my old office and needed somewhere with more space. A truck dealership seemed the ideal solution.

“I’m chuffed to the win academy’s award. There aren’t many sales managers who can claim to have achieved their targets at two dealerships in the same year and I couldn’t have done it without the support of our dedicated van team here at Sparshatts.”