Meet the Team: Matthew Abbot, Customer Support Manager

Our Customer Support Manager, Matthew Abbot, heads up our Customer Support Unit. Based at our Exeter Head Office, the CSU are often the first port of call for our customer enquiries and the first taste of our outstanding customer service. Tell us about yourself Matt: I am recently engaged to my partner Lucy. Rugby supporter, wine enthusiast (snob), and music lover. We currently live in Exeter but I have lived in multiple cities, including Bristol, Cardiff and Southampton. How long have you been working at Mercedes-Benz South West? I’ve been with the company 4.5 years. Where are you from? Exeter, born and bred. Favourite Mercedes-Benz model? CLS shooting brake, it’s just a touch of class! Favourite part of the job? I have really enjoyed the positive impact CSU has had on the business as it grows as a department in CWC.  My favourite part of the job is creating a cohesive and positive work environment with the team. Do you have any pets? Yes two cats, boys, called Coco and Choo named after Coco Channel and Jimmy Choo. Don’t ask, clearly I didn’t pick these. Have you always been in the motor trade? No, this is my first time in the motor trade. Previous jobs include a failed attempt as a professional rugby player, a wine distributor and in the finance and insurance industry. Best holiday you’ve ever been on? I have two...  In March this year I travelled to Brazil to attend a friend’s wedding, en route I went to Rio Carnival and it was truly a once in a life time experience. Previously, I went to Songkran water festival, which is the Thai New Year's national holiday, the whole county becomes one massive water fight. I will never forget the look on Lucy’s, my fiancé’s, face when she stepped out of our hotel, only to have a 50-60 year old woman throw a water balloon straight into her face. How many attempts did it take you to pass your driving test? First time although I didn’t take my test until I was 25. What radio station are you listening to when you drive? Radios 1 in the day time, Radio 6 in the evening. Favourite place to visit in the South West? I love Hound Tor and Widecombe on Dartmoor, with wellies and a warm jacket in the winter or flip flops and picnics in the summer. Favourite TV Show to binge watch? Either The Soprano’s or an Amazon Prime series called Black Sails. However my guilty pleasure is First Dates! Favourite Film? Any Given Sunday. Tipple of choice? Given my previous employment, Montrachet from Burgundy for White. Primitivo from Puglia, Italy for Red. What was the first concert you ever went to?  I’m showing my age here, but it was Meat Loaf at WestPoint in Exeter, aged 12. If the world ends tomorrow, what would you choose as your last meal? I’d opt for a liquid lunch and have a bottle of each of the wines listed above! What are you most looking forward to this year? I recently purchased a new house so will be moving in towards the end of the year. Finally… Jam then cream, or cream then jam? Cream then jam, why is this even a question?

For more in our Meet the Team series, visit the News pages of our website.