About
Company introduction
Simon is one of Britain's leading independent PR advisors.
Bringing a wealth of experience to the role spanning more than 25 years, he began his career as a journalist and editor on major news and business to business publications. After moving into PR, he now works with everyone from the world's largest multinationals to ambitious start-ups - and companies of every size in-between.
Simon is the founder and managing director of Paperchase.
His approach to PR has always been driven purely by results - and he achieves these by consistently adopting an approach which is as proactive as it is innovative. In short, he keeps the aims of his clients and the requirements of journalists - be they broadcast, print or online - at the heart of this process.
Simon has worked with companies operating in most sectors: from manufacturing to public services and retail to professional services. In addition, he is acknowledged to have industry-leading expertise in the automotive sector. Simon's detailed knowledge of the issues and personalities driving both the motor trade and fleet industries are widely recognised to be second to none.
But quite apart from advising hundreds of companies worldwide on their PR strategies, he has also been involved in his own successful business start-ups. Consequently, he brings great strategic knowledge to his role which reaches well beyond the boundaries of PR and general marketing. As a result, he is often used by clients as a source of business advice and ideas.
Current and past Paperchase clients include GE Capital, Glass’s Guide, Arval, RAC, epyx, iVendi, Microban, Chevin Fleet Solutions, Chartered Accountants Benevolent Association, The Warranty Group, AA Tyre Fit, TLS Vehicle Rental, CFC Solutions, Holland and Barrett, Churchill Tableware and Pinewood Computer Solutions.
Here, you will find testimonials from clients and a selection of recent press releases, social media activity and more.
Clients
Current and previous clients include
Simon has a relationship with epyx that dates back almost two decades and, during that time, has played a key part in shaping the positive perception of the company across the motor industry.
Dal Dosanjh Head of marketing communications.
EPYX
As a business, we have been bringing a new and innovative proposition to the motor finance sector, and Simon’s help has been invaluable in communicating that message to the market.
Paul Burgess CEO, Startline Motor Finance
We’ve worked closely with Simon almost since the inception of the company and he has greatly helped us to define the iVendi's identity as we have evolved to become the market leader in online motor retail.
James Tew CEO.
iVendi
LATEST Press Releases
The latest news and releases from Paperchase PR
Below are recent press releases from Paperchase Public Relations. Please click on the headline to download.
April 4
PRESS RELEASE
Average age of company car has risen by more than a year since pandemic, says epyx
The average age of a petrol fleet car undergoing service, maintenance or repair (SMR) has risen by more than a year since the start of the pandemic in 2020 – from 18 months to 31 months, epyx is reporting.
Similarly, the average age of a diesel van undergoing SMR has increased from 31 months to 39 months, according to data drawn from the company’s 1link Service Network SMR management platform, used by fleets totalling more than four million vehicles.
Tim Meadows, chief commercial officer at epyx, said: “It’s well-known that the fleet vehicle parc has risen since the start of the pandemic but the extent revealed by these figures is perhaps still surprising.
“The reasons for the increase are well understood. Initially, some operators opted to hang onto vehicles for longer because they didn’t cover the expected mileage thanks to lockdowns but, more recently, very poor new car and van supply has been much more of an issue. This is a situation that is only improving relatively slowly, with a huge order backlog still in place.
“Operating older vehicles does, of course, create challenges. They are more likely to break down and the maintenance regime applied needs to be more thorough to ensure ongoing roadworthiness. These are certainly issues that we have been working through with fleets over the last few years, using our technology to help them keep costs under control, minimise downtime and ensure safety.”
Tim said it remained open to discussion when the average age of fleet vehicles would stop rising and whether they would ever return to pre-pandemic levels.
“The underlying question is whether fleets will choose to operate younger car and vans when supply makes that possible or whether they have learnt that they can economically and effectively operate older vehicles. We’ll find out over the next few years.”
About epyx
epyx specialises in e-commerce solutions for the automotive sector. Its best-known products are the 1link platforms, which improve the efficiency of major fleets and their suppliers, covering functions including vehicle procurement, maintenance, hire, remarketing and relicensing. They have been adopted by fleets totalling more than four million vehicles, thousands of service providers, and nearly all major motor manufacturers on behalf of their franchise networks.
epyx is owned by FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc.
About FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc.
FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of commercial payment solutions. The company helps businesses of all sizes better control, simplify and secure payment of their fuel, toll, lodging and general payables. With its proprietary payment networks, FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc. provides affiliated merchants with incremental sales and loyalty. FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc. serves businesses, partners and merchants in North America, Latin America, Europe and Australasia. For more information, visit fleetcor.com.
For further details please contact Simon Wells at Paperchase Public Relations on 07768 912430 or e-mail simon@paperchasepr.co.uk.
ends
4 April 2023
News release
Available Car extends RAC warranty and GAP deal to 2027
Available Car has extended its deal with the RAC to provide warranty and GAP products up to 2027.
The company - which operates across four sites in the Midlands and retails over 20,000 vehicles annually - has worked with Assurant, which partners with the RAC in the aftersales market, since 2015.
Last year, the car supermarket moved from white label to RAC-branded products in a move designed to increase its appeal to customers who first encounter its stock online.
Michael Bell, CEO at Available Car, explained: “Our geographical sales footprint continues to grow as part of a trend that has been underway for some time and an increasing number of buyers from across the country first contact us or complete their entire purchase online.
“The Available Car brand is a strong one, especially in the Midlands, but the trust attached to the RAC is obviously much more instantly recognisable for people who are buying online. The switch to RAC branding has been highly successful from our point of view, hence this contract extension to 2027.
“We have found that we can access higher warranty and GAP sales both onsite and online from offering RAC branded products. In an increasingly digital used car sector, brand is ever more important. The presence of the name lends a high level of credibility to our overall proposition.”
Sean Kent, European director of automotive at Assurant, added: “Assurant has been working with Available Car since 2015 and we have forged a very successful partnership, so we’re pleased to see our contract extended to 2027. It’s a vote of faith in our products, the consultancy support we offer and the RAC brand.
“The 1,200-plus members of the RAC Dealer Network are making increasing use of the RAC brand in their online marketing and overall proposition as the amount of business they transact digitally grows. It’s a move that makes absolute strategic sense.”
Notes to Editors
About the RAC
The RAC, an iconic UK brand, provides complete peace of mind to 13 million UK private and business drivers, whatever their motoring needs. As well as its premium nationwide breakdown assistance service – with an expert branded patrol workforce attending more than two million breakdowns every year – it offers a wide range of market-leading products across insurance, legal services, vehicle inspections and service, maintenance and repair. The RAC is also at the forefront in helping drivers make the switch to electric vehicles and leads in the development of new solutions for businesses and OEMs, partnering with the best in the motoring and mobility space.
About Assurant
Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ) is a leading global business services company that supports, protects and connects major consumer purchases. A Fortune 500 company with a presence in 21 countries, Assurant supports the advancement of the connected world by partnering with the world’s leading brands to develop innovative solutions and to deliver an enhanced customer experience through mobile device solutions, extended service contracts, vehicle protection services, renters insurance, lender-placed insurance products and other specialty products.
For press enquiries please contact:
Simon Wells at Paperchase PR on 07768 912430 or e-mail simon@paperchasepr.co.uk
Contact
You can send us an email or visit us at
Registered Office
Paperchase Public Relations Ltd,
3 Blacksmiths Close, Thrussington, Leicestershire LE7 4UJ
Email : simon@paperchasepr.co.uk - Web : www.paperchasepr.co.uk
Tel : 07768 912 430