Warm tributes paid as much-loved motor industry leader passes away
Paul Winfield, former operations director at Derby-headquartered car dealership Motorpoint Group, has sadly passed away, the company has confirmed.
He was 68.
Motorpoint’s CEO Mark Carpenter has paid tribute to Winfield via the firm’s social media channels, describing him as a “passionate leader” who was instrumental in Motorpoint’s success over the last two decades.
Carpenter said: “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Paul Winfield. Paul worked tirelessly as our operations director for almost 20 years and was instrumental in Motorpoint’s success over this period. Many of us knew Paul very well, and his enormous personality and charisma will be greatly missed. On a personal level, Paul welcomed me warmly when I first joined Motorpoint in 2011, and he was both great company and a passionate leader in our business. Paul always had a funny story to tell, had bags of energy and was always on hand to help a team when under pressure – he’d be washing cars if we had a backlog, which was hugely respected by those who worked with him.”
He added: “All of us at Motorpoint will greatly miss Paul, and our thoughts are very much with his wife, Helen and their three children at this difficult time.
“Rest in peace PW – you were one of a kind.”
Many others from across the auto industry and the wider business community have taken to social media to pay their respects.
Adam Gilmore, sales & stock director at Scottish car dealership Peter Vardy Ltd, said Winfield was “a true leader and role model for so many” who was “loved and respected by all.”
Howard Thompson, managing director of ON Advertising Ltd, described Winfield as a “rare gentleman” and “one of a kind.”
Motorpoint’s retail support manager Amanda Scott added: “Such sad news. He always took the time to chat to everyone with genuine interest and a smile on his face. The colourful ties were always there and I remember he used to make a point of showing the latest one off when he visited!
“A lovely man who will be missed. Rest in peace Paul – you were a true gentleman x.”
