What exactly is JLVM?
Who does JLVM think he is?
Well dear reader, the time has come to reveal all….
Hi, I’m James Leacock. Owner of JLVM.
Come with me on a journey that will highlight the exclusive and uniquely bespoke world of private vehicle management.
Of course, nothing ever happens overnight and JLVM is no exception to that rule. Let me tell you how it all began….
From the Beginning
I am situated roughly in the middle of an exceptionally large family, of eight siblings. As children we all helped at mealtimes. There were the before and after teams. I discovered I particularly enjoyed being on the before team.
I vividly remember taking pride in setting the table for supper with mismatched sets of cutlery, flatware and glassware. Ensuring everything was perfect for our family meal.
There were a few of reasons for this.
Firstly, having spent hours cooking for the small platoon that is our family, my mother would rightfully insist on upholding certain standards; that we ate together at the table, being the primary reason.
Mealtimes were also a cherished opportunity to bond as a family through conversation, discussion, the odd argument and a lot of playful chit chat. Everyone, from the youngest up, had a voice and were respected as equal. It really was the highlight of the day. Even now, we all still love bantering together around that same old table, though it doesn’t look quite so big, with Mum’s fantastic cooking.
Perhaps it was also the slightly ulterior motive of not having to clear the table, because I’d already done my bit.
These early experiences instilled in me a deep appreciation for the joy that comes from bringing people together and creating memorable moments. It's this passion that continues to drive my dedication to service today.
Influences
My parents have been a huge influence on me.
Raising and educating us, while at the same time running a highly successful business is inspiring.
Mum and Dad have worked together for over 40 years in the aviation industry. They operate at the very top echelon of society, selling business jets.
Their partnership has been nothing short of legendary. They attribute their success to a customer-focused approach and building trusted relationships with their clients.
Working from home (long before it became mainstream), I grew up immersed in their business. It felt like I was part of the team, helping where possible. Very important people never seemed to mind being greeted by a less than grown-up voice on the phone. In fact, I think many appreciated the more human approach.
These experiences not only gave me a unique insight into the world of aviation but also instilled in me the values of hard work and dedication. Watching my parents navigate their business with such passion and integrity has been a constant source of inspiration for me.
My Vocation
A quick glance at my LinkedIn profile reveals a diverse and educational career path.
I grew up reading car magazines and watching Top Gear. Maybe as a result of which, I went on to study Mechanical Engineering at university, where I excelled in applied maths and physics.
On graduating, I briefly worked as a designer of safety cabinets for nuclear decommissioning sites. However, having been brought up in the exhilarating atmosphere of aircraft sales, I felt a bit stifled by the security of a nine to five job.
I wanted to experience everything the World had to offer.
As a student, I had, had a great Summer augmenting my allowance by working in a restaurant. I really enjoyed the everyday interaction with customers and staff. It also helped that it was a beautiful and warm Summer, and I was working in popular cantina on the beach in Jersey.
Having left my office job, I felt it was time to revisit the hospitality sector. I got a temp job working in a catering agency.
A few months in saw me taking on greater responsibilities within the teams and operating at ever greater venues and establishments. It was while working at the sensational Cliveden House Hotel in Berkshire, that I was ‘spotted’ by a future employer.
I was approached several months later by the person I’d had the opportunity to serve while at Cliveden. He offered me an exciting role as a personal butler to a world leader in the UAE. Who was I to refuse?
The only catch was that I was given just two days to tie all loose ends, pack my bags and meet the team in London.
From the off, it became clear that there were many challenges ahead and an incredibly demanding work schedule, in what was going to be the pursuit and creation of a new standard in luxury hospitality. The Uber-Personalised, 7-Star Service.
My contract was initially for two months but extended to almost two amazing years.
During the time I worked for a Middle Eastern Royal Family, I learned that unparalleled levels of hospitality and service, the likes of which I had hitherto never seen, were expected and provided, at all times.
It was a joyous position to have; developing a “surprise and delight” culture that constantly led to our clients loving the service. It was there that I honed my problem-solving skills and my ability to exceed expectations, even in high-pressure scenarios.
The most important takeaway from my time in the Middle East was that new standard of excellence. My eyes were truly opened to what’s possible and how we can provide exceptional service customers and clients.
Back to The Cars
Once I returned to the UK, I realised that although I still loved hospitality, due to Covid 19 it was struggling to get back to its’ pre-pandemic glory and, along with so many others, it was time to re-evaluate my career.
It took almost the whole of a nano second to turn towards the direction of my very first love, cars…
I sought out my first position in the industry I had always aspired to join. A small, niche UK based manufacturer of luxury retro Minis and coach built grand tourers gave me my break. I became part of the sales team of David Brown Automotive, based in its’ luxury showroom in St John’s Wood, London.
The vehicles they create are fantastic; little slices of history, brought into the 21st century through careful and meticulous manufacture.
It wasn’t just the warmth from the nostalgia associated with the original model, but also the fact that customers could fully customise their own model, that made these Minis a huge hit. I distinctly remember helping one client secretly rebuild his original Mini from his youth, so he could surprise his university friends and bring it back to life, right down to obtaining the original Almond Green colourway from the 60s.
The marque was so popular that these cars were shipped to excited clients all over the world. Naturally, this brought challenges, and it was vitally important to develop a network of industry experts who could rise to these challenges successfully.
Having cut my teeth in the automotive industry with DBA, it was time to roll up my sleeves and get to work in the mainstream.
I joined JLR, at Harwoods in Coulsdon, South London.
With hindsight, it was perhaps not the best time to be joining. Global geopolitical events had significantly disrupted supply chains for car parts. As a result, customers faced 18–24-month lead times on new vehicles, and current vehicles awaiting parts were sidelined with no lead time for repairs.
This situation, combined with a product known for reliability issues, created an unfavourable scenario. However, witnessing the marque’s inability to acknowledge their customer base through supported service departments was eye opening.
The retailers themselves were also at fault, with communications often found lacking. Understandably, customers were livid and often voted with their feet.
Throughout all the years I’ve spent learning from my own experiences and from watching my parents negotiate turbulent times in their business, there is one fundamental truism; When things are tough, the sign of a great business is not only how it reacts to solve problems, but how it communicates.
JLVM
At JLVM, we believe that vehicle ownership should be a joyous experience throughout its entire lifecycle, not just at the beginning. That’s why we’ve introduced a new gold standard of vehicle management.
We offer a personalised and premium service tailored precisely to your needs. You can rely on a dedicated account manager as your point of contact, available to you at anytime.
We will organise each vehicle’s maintenance schedule, which can include weekly valeting, transport, servicing, and repairs, to name just a few.
Whatever your needs, our Concierge service is available to you as part of your package.
The benefits of subscribing to our vehicle management service include maintaining your vehicle’s optimum performance and aesthetic standards, preserving your investment, and most importantly, having a designated and helpful point of contact whose interests align with yours.
Our clients find this service incredibly valuable as it allows them to enjoy the journey, knowing that every detail is taken care of.
And On That Bombshell…
In sharing my journey, from my early life experiences, training in the hospitality industry, professional growth in the automotive sector, and finally, the creation of JLVM, I hope I’ve provided a deeper understanding of the values and standards that drive our service.
At JLVM, we are committed to redefining vehicle ownership by offering a personalised, premium experience that extends beyond your initial purchase.
Our goal is to ensure that every moment of your vehicle ownership is as enjoyable and seamless as possible, with a dedicated team ready to meet your every need.
Thank you for joining me on this journey, and we look forward to serving you with excellence.
James Leacock
