Tributes have been paid to Geoff Snow, the founder and non-executive director of family-run Snows, one of the top 60 motor retailers in the UK.
He was the driving spirit of a flourishing motor retailer that now employs more than 750 people and proudly carries his surname on 35 franchises across southern England.
Geoff Snow, 85, died peacefully on August 23rd from a dementia-related illness. He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Joyce, son Stephen, who is group chairman, and daughters Jacquelyn and Jennifer, as well as nine grandchildren and a great grandson. Recently, and poignantly, one of Geoff's nine grandchildren, Katie, who works in the business, gave birth to his first great grandchild, Oscar.
Geoff Snow was born on July 3rd 1932 at Charlton, Andover, Hampshire. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Seaman just three years after the end of the Second World War in 1945, drawing a weekly pay of five shillings at HMS Vincent, Gosport, near Portsmouth.
Aged 29, he fulfilled his desire to start a business, having had a range of jobs and competing in autocross races which fired his love of cars. The motor legend can be seen pictured on the right, with a proud collection of his racing trophies that he collected in his early life. A true car enthusiast.
Snows was originally established by Geoff 55 years ago, in 1962, as an office supplies company in Southampton before he made the transformative decision to enter the retail motor market 38 years ago.
As well as the office supplies trade, operating out of leased premises at 49 Oxford Street, Southampton, with boundless energy and zest, Geoff’s business interests included a ladies’ hair salon and a decor firm. It was Snows Business Forms, a print manufacturing company he founded, which opened Geoff’s eyes up to the motor retail market in the 1970s. The firm, which operates from a 27,000 sq ft facility in Millbrook, Southampton, and has now been trading for more than 40 years, supplies more than 20 of the UK’s largest motor manufacturers, along with around 10,000 commercial customers.
Never one to miss an advertising opportunity, when he first ran an office supplies and printing business in Southampton in the 1960s, Geoff ensured that his company cars had the name Snows emblazoned on their roofs because office workers would see the name from the increasing number of high-rise buildings being built.
In 1979 Geoff invested in St James’ Toyota Centre, the first full introduction to the retail motor trade, with various franchise deals following.
From Hampshire to the West Country, Snows now represents the automotive brands of Abarth, BMW, Citroën, DS, Fiat, Kia, Lexus, Lotus, MINI, Peugeot, SEAT, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen Commercial and Volvo, as well as seven used-car outlets named Too Good to Auction, across Berkshire, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Somerset, Surrey.
Geoff, who lived in Romsey, Hampshire, retired in 2007, with son Stephen taking over as chairman of the group, which is headquartered at Snows House, Second Avenue, Millbrook, Southampton.
His son, Stephen said: “My father was a pioneer in the retail car industry here on the south coast, with an absolute belief that the customer is king, that if you get the customer service right every time then the sales will follow.
“We’ve seen generations of families buy from Snows because of what Dad did – he knew the importance of making the purchasing decision process as comfortable as possible for the buyer.
“That philosophy is at the heart of what we do at Snows – it is enshrined in our training academy, on the forecourts and in the service bays. Car manufacturers soon realised that Snows was a family-run brand trusted and respected by customers of all ages and requirements.
“Whilst as a family we grieve, my father’s legacy very much lives on in the company name and the pioneering culture he instigated and oversaw with his trademark driving spirit.”
The photo to the left pictures Geoff Snow with his loving wife of 57 years, Joyce.
Katie Snow, group project and development manager, and granddaughter to Geoff, said: “Grandad has been an inspiration to me and the entire family.
“It was a special moment when he attended our group conference at the Concorde Club in Eastleigh earlier this year, an example of how much Geoff loved being part of the business many years after retiring.”
Shawn Gates, group financial director, also paid tribute: “Three generations of my own family have served Snows. My father first worked for Geoff in 1962 for many years at Snows Office Supplies. I joined the business in 1991 and my son, Louis, joined the group in 2016.
“It has been a rewarding experience working for Geoff and many families owe him a debt of gratitude for what has been achieved with the group over 55 years.”
Mark Trapani, group managing director, said: “Whilst we mourn the loss of Geoff, we also celebrate his life and the wonderful business he has built, creating hundreds of jobs along the way and making car ownership a joy for customers over the decades.
“Geoff was always a special man in so many ways. He recognised talent and gave people opportunities to blossom.
“I joined Geoff and soon became a director with a clear brief. He was always fair and could be a very generous leader provided you managed the pennies. He was a great inspirer who allowed you to get on with anything you were prepared to commit to.
“Away from the business Geoff was always most sociable and welcoming and he loved being amongst like-minded people.He left an indelible mark on the business he created and the people he allowed to embark on the journey with him. I for one will miss him enormously.”
Currently, the team of Snows are all paying their tributes to our late founder, Geoff Snow, who is pictured centre with management colleagues celebrating the group’s 50 th anniversary five years ago. Geoff’s son, Stephen Snow, is pictured on the far right. From left, Shawn Gates, Phil Maddison, Les Gattrell (since left), Geoff, Mark Trapani, group managing director, and Stephen.
The funeral service will take place at Romsey Abbey on Friday 22nd September at 10:30am, followed by a private family cremation.Snows has 35 dealerships across the South of England, stretching from Plymouth to Guildford, and including the Isle of Wight. The Group prides itself on its reputation and dedication to delivering excellent customer service, and is rewarded by the fact that over half of its business comes from returning customers. With Snows, driving becomes an experience, rather than a chore.
Author: Sophie Taylor
Please contact Ron Wain using ron.wain@deepsouthmedia.co.uk or 07824 355523 with all press enquiries.
Posted on 29/08/2017