Meet the Parts Team - Jacob Valder and Neil Blandford
Career Beginnings and Roles at Yeovil Audi
Neil Blandford and Jacob Valder are two essential members of the Yeovil Audi team, each bringing unique expertise and passion to their roles.
Jacob Valder joined Yeovil Audi in July 2024, as a Parts Advisor. With previous experience at Volkswagen, Jacob has brought valuable knowledge and skills to his current position. His transition from Volkswagen to Audi has required him to adapt to the unique parts and common issues specific to Audi vehicles, broadening his expertise in the process. Neil Blandford began his journey with Yeovil Audi a couple of months earlier, in May 2024, stepping into the role of Parts Manager. With a wealth of experience and a strong background in the automotive industry, Neil’s role involves overseeing the parts department, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. His move from Volkswagen to Audi marked a natural progression in his career, allowing him to further his expertise while embracing new challenges.
Transitioning from Volkswagen to Audi
Both Jacob and Neil share a common background at Volkswagen before joining Yeovil Audi. While Jacob spent about a year with Volkswagen, Neil dedicated seven years to the brand. Despite both companies being part of the same group, they both note significant differences between Volkswagen and Audi, which have presented opportunities for growth and learning. For Jacob, this meant expanding his knowledge of Audi-specific parts and technical challenges. For Neil, it meant stepping into a premium brand environment where he could take on new responsibilities and elevate his expertise.
Exciting Upcoming Opportunities
Jacob is particularly excited about the upcoming Vorsprung course in Milton Keynes, a two-day immersive experience designed to deepen his understanding of the Audi brand, its history, current strategies, and future vision. The highlight of this course for Jacob is the “Ride and Drive” session, where he’ll get behind the wheel of some of Audi’s latest models, further fuelling his passion for the brand.
Neil, on the other hand, is focused on the future development of the parts department at Yeovil Audi. He’s eager to contribute to the growth of the business, looking forward to the opportunities for professional development and business expansion that lie ahead.
Favourite Aspects of the Job
Jacob’s role as a Parts Advisor allows him to engage with some of Audi’s most exciting and technical components, particularly those for the high-performance RS models. He enjoys ordering and pricing parts for these vehicles and finds great satisfaction in seeing them come into the workshop. The technical challenges and the chance to work with advanced automotive technology are among the most rewarding aspects of his job.
For Neil, the most fulfilling part of his role as Parts Manager is the ability to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the parts department. His commitment to maintaining the high standards that Audi is known for is evident in his day-to-day management, and he relishes the challenge of leading a department that is crucial to the dealership’s success.
Why Yeovil Audi?
Jacob was drawn to Yeovil Audi because of the brand’s prestige and the positive, friendly environment at the dealership. He values being part of a respected brand and sees ample opportunities for career growth within the company. After conversations with management, Jacob is optimistic about his future at Yeovil Audi and is excited to advance his career within this supportive and dynamic team.
Neil’s decision to join Yeovil Audi was influenced by a desire to transition to a premium brand. His move to Audi was a natural next step in his career, allowing him to embrace new challenges and further his expertise in a different setting.
Favourite Audi Model
When it comes to their favourite Audi models, Jacob and Neil have distinct preferences. Jacob has a soft spot for the classics, particularly the RS 2 from the 1990s—a model that holds a special place in automotive history as one of Audi’s pioneering high-performance cars. Neil, on the other hand, is drawn to the Audi R8. He admires the R8 for its striking design and powerful V10 engine, a combination of aesthetics and performance that makes it a standout in his eyes.
Life Outside of Work
Outside of work, both Jacob and Neil have hobbies that reflect their passions and dedication. Jacob’s love for cars extends beyond his professional life; he’s involved in a personal project with a friend where they buy and restore old cars from the 1990s. This hands-on hobby allows him to apply his automotive expertise and bring classic vehicles back to life.
Neil, meanwhile, is passionate about fitness and martial arts. His commitment to staying active and honing his skills in martial arts mirrors the discipline and focus he brings to his role at Yeovil Audi.