A pioneering Racing Academy for drivers with disabilities is set to grow in 2020 thanks to support from the UK’s largest vehicle salvage and recycling company.

SYNETIQ Ltd, which is based in Doncaster, has become the latest supporter of Team BRIT, which aims to be the first all-disabled team to race in the Le Mans 24 hour.  Through its Racing Academy, set up in 2019, it supports people with physical and psychological challenges in accessing motorsport.

The Racing Academy enables any disabled driver with a full UK licence to access professional coaching and tuition at race tracks all over the country using the team’s world-leading hand control technology.

SYNETIQ is supplying Team BRIT with salvage vehicles from its market-leading online auction, plus any parts the team require. The BRIT team of technical experts will then re-build and upgrade these cars, specially adapting them for the Racing Academy.

SYNETIQ’s support has enabled the team to purchase its second Academy car, a BMW M240i – F22, meaning even more clients can take part in these opportunities.

SYNETIQ Ltd was created in March 2019. As the largest UK-owned salvage and vehicle recycling company, SYNETIQ creates intelligent solutions for some of the country’s leading insurers, fleets and police forces.  SYNETIQ is trusted to reuse and recycle vehicles through their online auction, green parts, and recycling processes and are also a provider of software and VRM data solutions.

Having grown significantly since the business merger that saw its launch, SYNETIQ is now raising industry standards in compliance, innovation, value and customer experience. Headquartered in Doncaster, SYNETIQ has over 590 employees at locations across England and Scotland.

Mark Schofield, Director at SYNETIQ said: “We’re delighted to announce our new relationship with Team BRIT – an inspiring and truly unique racing team. In doing so, we are helping to make motorsport accessible to current and future Team BRIT drivers, who previously may not have dreamed of such an opportunity.”

Dave Player, Team BRIT Team Principal said: “We are incredibly grateful for the support SYNETIQ is providing our team and our Racing Academy.  As industry-leaders, their confidence and belief in what we are trying to achieve means so much.

“Their support will allow us to increase the number of Academy sessions we can offer, so that we can welcome even more disabled drivers to our track days.  For many, these opportunities are something they never thought would be possible for them, so by helping us, SYNETIQ is opening the door to motorsport for so many people.

“I’d like to thank them on behalf of everyone at Team BRIT and look forward to working with them throughout 2020.”

SYNETIQ has appointed a new Financial Controller, brought in to support the management and development of the SYNETIQ Finance Team.

Jonathan Pervin brings a wealth of relevant experience gained across both professional services and industry, having previously held senior roles at Deloitte, KPMG, Fulcrum and Wilko. His role is key to helping SYNETIQ further develop their financial governance and reporting to support the businesses growth aspirations which will be achieved through investment, acquisition and business development.

Jonathan will work closely with SYNETIQ’s Finance Director, Leigh Manton, who joined the business in September 2019.

Jonathan said: “I’m delighted to be joining SYNETIQ at such an exciting time. I’m looking forward to working closely with the management team to ensure we maximise the significant opportunities available to us now and in the near future.”

Executive Chairman Tom Rumboll said: “I am very pleased to welcome Jonathan to SYNETIQ as we continue our efforts to lead the industry. To attract someone of Jonathan’s calibre is a great endorsement of our business and strategy and I look forward to working with Jonathan and Leigh to deliver on our ambitious medium-term plan.”

West Yorkshire Police’s brand-new Crime Scene Investigation training facility has received a donation of two vehicles from SYNETIQ.

The relationship between West Yorkshire Police and SYNETIQ is well established; the dismantling and recycling business already ensures the compliant processing of the Police’s salvage and end of life vehicles.

The new training facility is based at Wetherby Police Station and will be used for practicing and skills development by Crime Scene Investigators. Vehicles used in crimes can contain key clues, such as fingerprints, hairs or other physical evidence. Regular training is key for all CSI teams, as the job they do can make a huge difference to the outcome of a case.

SYNETIQ donated two undamaged vehicles, a Volkswagen Golf and Polo. The cars were drained of fuel and batteries disconnected before being delivered free of charge. The vehicles will be exchanged once West Yorkshire Police have completed the training.

Anna Reade, Client Relationship Manager at SYNETIQ, is now qualified as a Certified GDPR Practitioner.

Anna completed a five-day course, which covered the knowledge and skills to implement, and maintain, an effective compliance programme under the GDPR. Anna’s achievement means SYNETIQ now has two qualified practitioners within the team. Kris Scott, IT Security Manager, qualified last year and is also a Certified Data Protection Officer. It’s clear that SYNETIQ is going above and beyond to achieve unparalleled compliance within the salvage and vehicle recycling industry.

Compliance is a pillar of SYNETIQ’s operations; processes have been implemented to wipe personal data from all vehicles the business handles. Sat nav systems are wiped and any personal items are collected and securely returned to the policy holder.

Microsoft Secure score success

SYNETIQ also celebrating an excellent Microsoft Secure score result – another example of its efforts to remain the most compliant business in the industry.

Microsoft Secure Score is a measurement of a business’ security posture; the higher the number, the more measures have been taken to protect the business from threats. The assessment is continuous and SYNETIQ’s inhouse IT and web development team will ensure it carries on improving.

ISO audit success

Two SYNETIQ sites have also just completed successful ISO audits to renew the long-held accreditations – a timely demonstration of the compliant results in all areas of the business. Following PAS99, the SYNETIQ team developed an integrated management system to provide more efficient ways of working. By using one framework to manage all certified systems, SYNETIQ is now reducing unnecessary duplication and costs.

SYNETIQ’s Doncaster Head Office was awarded ISO 27001, 14001 and 9001 accreditation’s and Cinderford achieved ISO 14001.

SYNETIQ has announced a seven-figure investment in its fleet of vehicle transporters.

The brand-new transporters have been purpose built by Belle Trailers and are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, designed to give SYNETIQ’s drivers greater visibility of other road users. Each is powered by a DAF CF340 FAR tractor unit, with Euro 6-compliant engines which also comply with Central London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone.

The investment marks a significant expansion in SYNETIQ’s recovery capabilities, with the total number of vehicle transporters on the road now well in excess of 100. It also means a total of 25 new trucks have been brought into service since March 2019, including 20 DAF & Volvo car carriers, 2 van carriers and 3 Iveco Tilt & Slide trucks.

SYNETIQ’s Logistics team has worked closely with Belle Trailers to design bespoke transporters around the business’s requirements. Beginning with a basic ‘Salvage’ specification, the bodies have been modified to make each job safer and easier for drivers, customers and other road users.

The trucks fully comply with the Driver Vision Scheme; new legislation which comes into force on 26^th October 2020. DVS rules will apply on all roads in Greater London and is designed to protect road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Four-way cameras have been installed to cover drivers’ blind spots, with additional sensors providing an additional warning. Large, fluorescent warning signs are also fitted to blind spot areas to warn other road users. SYNETIQ has also scheduled upgrades to equip its existing fleet with the same accident prevention technology. This will mean SYNETIQ is well ahead of legislation, some months before it comes into force.

SYNETIQ has invested heavily in its Logistics function over the last few months. In October, it appointed James Brown in the new role of Head of Transport. Since joining, James has developed many new processes and improvements; the team are currently developing a centralised function to align SYNETIQ sites across the country. Further investments and improvements are planned, with more announcements expected later this year.

SYNETIQ are delighted to support Lydney Swimming Club – a club local to their Cinderford site.

The company were approached by one of their team members as his daughter was a keen swimmer… and a member of Lydney Swimming Club. The partnership was a fantastic opportunity for SYNETIQ to support both their people and their local community in one.

Lydney Swimming Club were actively seeking support as the club is solely managed by volunteers who rely on donations from parents in order to fund travel, equipment, training and swimming kit costs.

One of the clubs volunteers said: “Massive thanks to SYNETIQ for their generous sponsorship. This has enabled us to provide t-shirts for our members and coaches.”

SYNETIQ was proud to host a training day for the British Automobile Racing Club North West Rescue team on Sunday.

BARC NW Rescue is a technical rescue unit which supports major racing events, including Formula 1, British Touring Car Championship and a wealth of BARC events throughout the season. SYNETIQ donated vehicles and organised a staged collision, on site at SYNETIQ Winsford.

The day was an opportunity for the team to practice rapid extraction methods. To make the training seem even more realistic, each exercise was done against the clock…

It’s vital that BARC NW Rescue has regular practice, to perfect methods and tool skills, and ensure the team are fully prepared in the event of a real emergency. Sunday was also an opportunity to get to grips with a new incline cutter tool, which will improve capabilities even further.

SYNETIQ’s relationship with BARC NW Rescue can be traced back to Car Transplants Ltd, which previously hosted training days before becoming part of SYNETIQ in March 2019. SYNETIQ was delighted to continue this relationship and is looking forward to welcoming the team back soon.

SYNETIQ’s senior management expansion continued last week with James Brown appointed as Head of Transport.

Based at the Doncaster operation, James’ role as Head of Transport will cover both collection and delivery activity where he will support the growth of SYNETIQ’s Green Parts offer.

James has excellent and relevant experience in the field of transport and logistics having held senior roles with Amazon, DFS, Andrew Page and the United Nations, and will be a great addition to the SYNETIQ team. 

SYNETIQ customers now benefit from an even more secure payment process, using the multi-award winning, cloud-based SOTpay technology – making payments easier and more secure and fully PCI DSS compliant.

SYNETIQ customers will benefit from an extra layer of protection; the use of SOTpay means sensitive card data never handled by our employees, protecting our customer’s data and retailer reputation. The new system also means secure payments can be made through any channel, including SMS, email, social media and web link. There’s no longer any need for customers to give out card details over the phone.

The security and traceability of payments has always been high on SYNETIQs agenda. The business made headlines earlier this year when it announced a no cash payments for salvage; a policy that was lauded by Police forces across the UK. Embracing SOTpay is SYNETIQs next step to protect clients and customers against fraud.