🔍 Episode Overview:
In this episode, Mike Allen sits down with John Veichmanis, CEO of Carwow, to unpack his leadership journey and the bold vision he’s shaping for one of the UK’s most influential automotive platforms.

They explore:

• John’s early career and what drew him to Carwow
• How he’s steering the business as a true marketplace leader
• Lessons from shifting consumer behaviour and dealer expectations
• The future of automotive e-commerce and platform innovation
• What excites him most about where the industry is heading

Whether you’re a founder, operator, or investor in mobility or marketplaces, this episode is packed with insight on scaling a digital platform while staying anchored in product, purpose, and people.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• The power of building a true two-sided marketplace
• Why leadership means simplifying complexity
• How Carwow balances growth, brand, and trust in a changing industry
• Insights into where UK automotive is headed in the next 3–5 years

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

In this episode of Ignite & Scale, Mike Allen sits down with Ken Cumming, founder of Redhead Automotive, a consultancy renowned for transforming dealer profitability across the UK and Northern Europe.

Ken brings decades of operational experience—from Toyota GB to global consulting with ASE—and shares powerful, no-nonsense insights on what actually drives results in the automotive retail world. If you’re a founder selling into OEMs or dealers, this episode is essential listening.

What we cover:

🔧 Ken’s journey from the shop floor to founding Redhead Automotive

📊 Why most consultants miss the mark—and how Ken’s team stays grounded in the real world

💥 How to unlock hidden margin in aftersales through workshop efficiency, diary management, and people performance

🌍 Lessons from Norway and the Nordics: What EV adoption and cultural nuance teach us about aftersales strategy

💡 How SaaS founders can better pitch ROI to dealerships—ditch the feature lists, focus on time-saving and decision acceleration

Ken’s approach is practical, human-centred, and laser-focused on making dealer operations more profitable—fast.

Connect with Ken:
👉 www.redhead-automotive.com

More episodes at:
🎧 www.cambriaprivatecapital.com

© Copyright Cambria Private Capital. All Rights Reserved.

Episode overview:

In this data-rich and candid conversation, Philip Nothard, one of the UK’s most respected automotive analysts, joins Mike Allen to unpack the major shifts shaping the sector in 2025. Fresh from Autopalooza and the FT Future of the Car Summit, Philip shares insights from the latest Cox Automotive Insight Quarterly report and explains what they mean for founders, operators, and investors.

Topics covered include:

• Philip’s journey from shopfloor to boardroom insight
• Why new car registrations are rebounding—and how long it might last
• The EV paradox: record growth but still behind policy targets
• Why used EVs aged 3–5 years are outperforming newer ones
• How China’s manufacturing dominance is reshaping the UK market
• Takeaways from the FT Future of the Car Summit 2025

Key link:

🔗 Insight Quarterly (May 2025) – Read it here

© Copyright Cambria Private Capital. All Rights Reserved.