Biographies
We employ great people, encourage them to move fast, listen well and create new opportunities. They are great individuals but work as a team, using different levels of experience and specialism to provide a rounded solution. More than anything else our people make our products shine.
Barry Cooper - Managing Director
Barry founded Cooper Solutions in 2001 with the aim of using his 13 years spent with BMW UK and Sytner Group to help dealers’ run their businesses more efficiently. Over a decade later he has a team of highly motivated individuals who have built a customer base exceeding 1500 franchised dealers. His goals are to continue to expand the business year on year whilst maintaining first class customer service and satisfaction. Being the mastermind he is, if you have a problem that needs solving, Barry will have the solution unless it requires a doctor of course. Away from the office, Barry enjoys spending time with his family, holidays, keeping fit and supports Spurs and his local Ice Hockey team.
Peter Cooper - Managing Director
Peter directs our research and development activities and has worked with Barry since the first line of code. He has over 25 years' experience writing commercial software for Microsoft, Apple, Canon and others. Peter rarely makes the commute into the office, but seeing as he lives over 5000 miles away in California, we forgive him. Excitement fills the office when Peter arrives in the UK as not only do we get to spend time with another talented Cooper but he brings with him the most heavenly tasting peanut brittle. Peter starts work as the rest of us are heading home thus meaning Cooper Solutions are forever working around the clock for the benefit of our customers. In his spare time Peter likes to play tennis, run and supports his local sports teams; LA Galaxy and Stanley Cup champs LA Kings.
Dean Pipitone - Director
Dean joined Cooper Solutions in 2003 with extensive BMW sales experience and was made a director in 2009. He has been responsible for driving the FullCover fleet management system from its launch to over 1500 franchised dealer accounts. Dean is a keen cyclist and has cycled many miles for charity most recently in the Coopers race to base which he and his team of Wiggins wannabe’s won in convincing style. Dean has temporarily swapped pedals for pampers as he recently became a father to his second daughter and often treats the rest of the office to his dulcet tones singing Frozen songs. So far no-one has plucked up the courage to tell Dean to ‘Let it go, let it go, we can’t take it anymore.’ When Dean is not donning a suit, you will find him sporting shorts and flip flops, whatever the weather.
Andrew Whicher - General Manager
Which Whicher’s which?
He joined Cooper Solutions in 2007 having spent many years in the motor trade with Snows Motor Group. He is a
Masters graduate and has used his insight into the ADP DMS environment to help Cooper Solutions capture the data
that’s ‘in there somewhere’ and present it in a form that’s intuitive and adds value across a dealers’ business.
An expert in FullControl and FullForecast, he will have a solution to your query. This is Andrew and in his
spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife Sarah and young son Jasper. Andrew enjoys personal challenges
and experiencing different cultures whilst travelling.
Simon Whicher - General Manager
Spot the difference………
He joined Cooper Solutions in 2006 having spent many years in the motor trade with Snows Motor Group. He is a Masters
graduate and has used his insight into the ADP DMS environment to help Cooper Solutions capture the data that’s ‘in there
somewhere’ and present it in a form that’s intuitive and adds value across a dealers’ business. He has recently made
the transition to the other side of the office to head up our FullAuction department and been instrumental in the
production of FullAppraisal. This is Simon and in his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife Caroline and
young Sons Harry and Oliver, oh and playing the occasional round of golf.
James Cooper - Product Manager
Another Cooper but no relation, James has been working for Cooper Solutions since 2008, is a qualified Microsoft Certified Professional and given he’s at least 8ft tall, we all look up to him! Hightower lives by the adage that the highest levels of customer service are essential to our clients. James the giant manages internal IT, knows a huge amount about every product and consumes tasks of many and varied nature with speed and relish. Born and bred in Yorkshire he’s a typical Yorkshire man – Glory, glory Leeds United! (shame!)
Helen Ablewhite - Office Support Manager
Helen joined the Cooper Solutions team in September 2010, providing frontline support as a point of contact for dealership enquiries, bringing eight years of relevant experience. She believes the best support is proactive and has improved many internal processes to ensure our customers remain happy and loyal. Helen’s claim to fame was she once met Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond at an awards ceremony.
Naomi Fiddes-Baron - Business Development Manager
Naomi, better known as Noo joined the team in 2010. Joining as an Account Manager she now has Business Development responsibility including overseeing the account management team as they install, train and support our products and dealers across the UK. In other Noos, her main loves in life are being walked by her two Jack Russell terriers and adding to her vast collection of shoes. Breaking Noos... she has a new found love of show-jumping with her horse Frankie which fulfils her competitive nature. Her dream car is anything pink; an Aston Martin Vantage or Lotus Elise would do! Well that’s the end of the Noos, now for the weather...
Vicki Haynes - Client Support Manager
Having graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a marketing degree followed by a number of years working for the John Lewis Group, Vicki joined Cooper Solutions in April 2012. Vicki now works in the office support team where she provides client support and aids the team of account managers. Vicki has a love of music, keeping fit and healthy eating as well as an unhealthy obsession with peanut butter and Harry Styles. She has many strengths and brightens up the office with her personality and humour with her only weakness being a Monday morning. Vicki is the true meaning of support and keeps the team heading in ‘One Direction’, unfortunately for her not Harry’s direction.
Mark Ferris - Software Developer
Mark has been a software developer for over 25 years in the fields of business, finance, government and academia. Mark lives in Traverse City, Michigan, on the shores of Lake Michigan, just a stone’s throw from Detroit, the heartland of the American automobile industry (if you can throw a stone 250 miles). While having an appreciation for fine automobiles, the nearest he’s come to an exotic car - apart from watching Top Gear - is driving his friend’s ‘64 Porsche 912. Mark sings in a choir, enjoys sailing and skiing and is an avid Frisbee golfer.
Sacha Mathers - Operations Manager
Sacha has worked for Cooper Solutions for several years and now assumes the role of Operations Manager. She has experience as a Dealer Accountant within the BMW network and as a Consultant Trainer of the ADP Kerridge system. When Sacha is not hard at work, she enjoys holidaying in the sun, having fun as a busy mum with her adorable son Archie. As a lover of Prosecco and nights on the tiles with the girls, Friday evenings soon turn into Monday mornings for our cooper connoisseur. Some say she’s funny and feisty, and enjoys keeping fit, all we know she’s an asset to the business who won’t take any prisoners.
Laurie Pearce - Client Support Executive
Laurie joined Cooper Solutions in March 2012 and is an integral part of the FullAuction team. Her previous roles as Business Development Manager and Sales Manager is evident as she uses her excellent negotiation skills to broker deals. Laurie enjoys nothing more than wine and Mulberry handbags, well that and spending time with her husband and young daughter who is a mini version of herself. A veteran in kickboxing, Laurie likes to keep fit and only puts the gloves on when keeping the rest of the team in check.
Nikki Hamilton - Administration
Nikki is part of a small team that ensures Cooper Solutions keeps ticking along. Her automotive experience includes a 15 year spell working for BMW. In 2000 Nikki travelled the world visiting 15 different countries, which compelled her to immigrate to Perth, Australia in 2005. Her last job was with Guide Dogs Western Australia, working in fundraising and PR. She and her family returned to the UK in September 2012 and joined Cooper Solutions in 2013. There is a lot that Nikki misses about Australia but we are doing all we can to make her feel welcome and right at home!
Michael Fitzpatrick - Account Manager
Michael joined Cooper Solutions in the spring of 2013 as a key member of the FullAuction team. Our resident Sven Goran Eriksson lookalike has recently made the transition into an account management role, visiting sellers across the country in a bid to improve practices and generate more profit for retailers. His knowledge and tactical approach means that he will always deliver the best results unlike his Swedish doppelganger. Michael (Jordan) once represented his native West Midlands at basketball, but swapped the courts for the greens and now enjoys a leisurely frustrated round of golf. Michael loves to watch his favourite team Tottenham play although being the winner he is, should probably consider supporting Chelsea.
Suzanne Merchant - Account Manager
Suzanne joined Cooper Solutions in August 2014 as an Account Manager. She has over 7 years’ experience working within the motor trade having previously worked for Lombard Vehicle Management and Listers Group. Her experience with ADP Kerridge helps her to understand the importance of our products and how much easier they can make life within a dealership. Suzanne took a career break in 2013 to gallivant around Europe with her best friend and his dog but ended up living in France for 8 months working for Eurocamp! Having to calmly deal with flooded tents and overbooked campsites has made sure Suzanne’s Customer Service skills are top notch!
Dan Lane - Client Support Executive
Dan joined Cooper Solutions on 1st April 2014 as part of the support team offering FullCover support to all of our dealers. Having previously worked as a ripped fitness instructor and a rip off car salesman, Dan prides himself on excellent customer service skills and rapport building and now enjoys the office vibe where he can release his sense of humour on the rest of his ‘bemused’ colleagues. This April fool has a keen interest in making people laugh, Ice Hockey, seasonal golf and devotes all of his spare time to his two young boys Reuben and Emerson.
Keith Taylor - Product Support Specialist
Keith has recently joined Cooper Solutions after spending 18 years with Peugeot Citroen Automobiles in a variety of roles and brings with him a wealth of retail dealer experience and ADP knowledge. Keith will be providing support, consultancy and development for our ADP extracting products and will work alongside Andrew and Simon Whicher. In his spare time he enjoys tinkering with technology, supporting Villa (unfortunately!) and has been an avid fan of the band ‘Madness’ since an early age. He is looking forward to swapping the daily suit for ‘baggy trousers’ as we welcome him to our ‘house of fun’. He loves a good challenge and really enjoys opportunities to go the extra mile or should we say ‘One Step Beyond’.
Jordan Coton - Account Manager
Jordan joined Cooper Solutions in November 2014 as part of our account management team. He has an international business degree to his name and has previously worked for Vauxhall aftersales as well as family businesses. Jordan is a keen sportsman and when he is not working, he will be found on the pitch playing for his local football team or hitting the slopes as and when he can. He is also a self-confessed TV box set addict, a faithful follower of the true champion’s glory, glory Man United and a part time supporter of the not so glorious Coventry City FC.
Pip Weston - Account Manager
Pip, another business management graduate, joined the account management team in May 2015 having spent the last 2 years in the property industry. Pip who has a love of horses lived in Hampshire furlong time but she bolted to Aston-le-Walls to train with 4* Event rider Jodie Amos in 2011 and never returned home. She’d obviously found a stable environment. Away from the ranch, she rides her own horse every day and events on a regular basis. She lives with her partner Mike and two year old terrier cross. We are delighted Pip has joined us, are sure she will jump every hurdle she encounters and that her happy disposition will make even reiny days feel sunny.
David Abel - Business Development Manager
David joins Cooper Solutions having spent over 20 years in the motor industry working as the head of business for various prestige brands. David will be putting his vast array of skills and knowledge to the test to drive the performance of our FullAuction and FullAppraisal products. When not submerged in work, he swaps the business suit for the wetsuit and enjoys scuba diving where he has also performed a deep sea night dive…. Good reef that must have been scary. David also loves to play golf and this experienced diver is just as good with a driver which is obviously a fore-gone conclusion. A little birdie also tells us he loves nothing more than watching the big names in action at the US Masters & Ryder Cup.
Rahul Mohanachandran - Software Development Manager
Rahul and his infectious smile moved to Manchester from India in 2010 to do his post graduate studies at the University of Manchester. He has very good experience in software development, business analysis and managing developement teams. Besides his passion for business analysis, software development and project management, he is somewhat of a petrol head. As a Formula One enthusiast and having a love of road trips, mean his weekends just race on by. In his spare time, Rahul likes to keep fit through running and he will be going to great lengths to improve our products.
Ashley Whitfield - IT Systems Support
Eeh by gum, it’s another Yorkshireman. Ashley joined Cooper Solutions in Autumn 2015 having moved from Yorkshire down’t Warwickshire. He holds a degree in Computer Science and his prime motivation is ensuring the IT cogs are turning smoothly ensuring nowt goes wrong, by putting his years of experience working in the IT industry into practice. Being a stereotypical IT bloke, Ashley has a love of computer games but also enjoys getting outdoors and hitting the gym. He has recently confessed to having a love of metal music - who would have thought!
Beth Dee - Sales Administrator
Joined in March 2016, a former equine veterinary nurse, now a FullAuction sales administrator, keeping an eye on quality control of the FullAuction website. Outside of work I enjoy looking after and competing my horses. I try to keep fit and active, going to the gym, and walking and working my Springer Spaniel Bryn. When I find the time I also enjoy music and play the saxophone, as well as being a ‘roadie’ for my fiancé’s rock band, (I’m a bit of a closet rocker)! I have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with Friends too! Born and bred a country bumpkin in rural village of Northend, Warwickshire, I live with fiancé Sam and Bryn.
Kate Shakesheff - Marketing Executive
Kate joined Cooper Solutions in February 2016 as Marketing Executive. With previous experience in law, retail and estate agency, Kate is developing and co-ordinating the marketing plans across the business. Here to build further awareness of our products, Kate is working with her colleagues who are brimming with ideas. When she’s not busy planning and measuring, Kate enjoys horse-riding with her daughter, baking and has a weakness for buying shoes.
Reshmi Vayyapuri - Software Tester
Hailing from India, the land of diversity, Reshmi joined Cooper Solutions in March 2016 as a Software Tester. Her obsessive nature of carrying out a top notch quality check can be compared to the way she values her fitness. Having worked previously in Accenture for five years, she makes sure that the same learned core values are instigated in her assignments at Cooper Solutions. Work aside, she finds solace in the classical dance form Bharatnatyam. She has two dogs back home, and has a peculiar way with them, almost being described as a "Dog Whisperer"! Having already travelled much of Europe and part of Asia, it's understood that she isn't shy to pack her bags overnight and quench the wanderlust in her. Also a prodigy in chess, she plans on tackling roadblocks at work as done on chess board - "One carefully, calculated step at a time".
Tommy Elliott - Software Developer
Tommy graduated from Stirling University and completed his MSc in Software Engineering at Oxford Brookes. Tommy joined Cooper Solutions in May 2016, bringing with him four years of Software Developer experience from within the sales industry. A cheery chap, originally from Bedfordshire, Tommy now lives in the middle of nowhere near Banbury. Tommy is a massive sci fi fan, especially of Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who. He is also a flight simulator gamer and loves cooking, especially trying out new recipes.
