Peter Leake (Meynell 1969 - 1974)

Peter left Ellesmere in the Summer of 1974 when he opted to become a Commercial Apprentice at Austin in Birmingham. Here he obtained an HND and Diploma in Marketing with the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

He immediately started work with Jaguar on the order control side (taking dealer orders and turning them into cars), followed by a spell as a Fleet Sales Executive covering the East of England. In 1982, Peter joined Jaguar, as they started to pull away from British Leyland, as a Sales Training Exec, training dealers all over the world; "I did this from 1982 through to 1997, and it was probably the most exciting and enjoyable aspect of my working life - I got to see the world whilst working, and also watching Jaguar win the World Sports Car Championship in 1987, 1988 and 1991. These were great days for both myself and Jaguar."

During this period, Peter wrote and delivered all new products training for the dealers around the world - from product knowledge to selling skills, brand to customer care. New cars included the new XJ in 1986, the XK Sports in 1996, the S-Type in 1998 and the X-Type in 2001. From 1992 to 2012, he managed the Jaguar Academy that was responsible for all UK dealer training (non-technical), where he took Jaguar's training to No.1 in the motor industry as voted by the dealer network - a great achievement.

Peter took an early retirement package from Jaguar in August this year and has now set up his own company - Vantage PL Consulting Ltd - specialising in training and presentation skills.

Outside of working, Peter's social scene has been pretty hectic, too! When he was at college in Bromsgrove during his apprenticeship, he was asked if he would like to play rugby for the town side, which he agreed to and played for Bromsgrove RFC from 1977 to 2000, with just a short 3 year spell away in Lincolnshire where he played for Stamford RFC.

Peter enjoys motor racing, walking, working out and, of course, socialising - a good Ellesmere tradition!! He has stayed in touch with a couple of OEs but, like everyone, it isn't easy with OE's living in a variety of places worldwide. Peter has found the Antelope CITY drinks in London to be productive and has been reunited with several old friends.

10th October 2012  Back to Where are they now?