Dan Joyce succeeds Paul Boulton as Kwik Fit retail operations director

Kwik Fit has promoted Dan Joyce to the role of retail operations director. The incumbent Kwik Fit fleet director succeeds Paul Boulton, who is retiring after over 43 years with the organisation. In addition to retaining responsibility for Kwik Fit Fleet, as retail operations director, Joyce will be responsible for the running of around 700 centres under both the Kwik Fit and STS Tyre Pros brands.

Paul Boulton joined Kwik Fit in 1980 as a tyre technician in its Warrington centre, before promotion to managerial roles and then to divisional director. Kwik Fit named him retail sales and operations director in 1999, and since this time Boulton has successfully led the company’s operations through various changes in ownership, times of economic and industry uncertainty, as well as the unprecedented operational challenges of the pandemic. Following Itochu’s acquisition of the company in 2011, he has overseen a period of major investment in the centre network, with a rolling refurbishment programme and new locations and centre teams being regularly added.

“We believe that Kwik Fit is in its strongest position ever and this is in no small part to Paul’s passion, drive and leadership skills over so many years,” says Mark Slade, managing director at Kwik Fit. “Paul’s is a truly fantastic story – from joining the business on the workshop floor to leading the entire centre network. He has poured his heart and soul into the company, and he leaves for a well-deserved retirement knowing that his huge contribution is fully recognised by everyone at Kwik Fit.”

Emotional moment

Kwik Fit announced Boulton’s retirement at its annual conference in front of around 850 managerial colleagues from centre operations, as well as head office staff and industry guests. Paul Boulton comments: “Although I’ve been working with Mark and Dan on our succession plan since last year, it was still a very emotional moment for me when we went public with the news. I was a little overwhelmed by the response and am incredibly grateful for the messages of congratulations I’ve received.

“I’ve had a wonderful career at Kwik Fit, it has given me opportunities I could never have imagined when I joined as a tyre fitter over 40 years ago. But as good as it has been, I believe that even better days are ahead for the business. That’s why I chose the conference theme for this year as being ‘The best is yet to come’. I may not be part of it, but I am delighted to be handing over the reins to Dan with the operation is such a strong position, and I am confident that the business is in great shape to continue to lead the industry for the next 40 years.”

From shop floor to management

Like Paul Boulton, Dan Joyce knows the business from the shop floor, having joined as an apprentice in south Wales in 2002. He rapidly progressed to centre manager and more senior roles in centre operations before moving to the fleet team, becoming fleet director in 2020. In addition to his Kwik Fit training and development, while a centre manager Joyce also achieved a first-class degree in Business Management at the University of South Wales.

“It’s testament to the strength of the talent we have within the business that we’ve been able to plan a seamless transition,” says Mark Slade. “Dan has been working alongside Paul for a number of months in preparation for the handover and I’m very excited about Dan leading the operations as we embark on the next phase of Kwik Fit’s growth.”

“As someone who, like Paul, began their Kwik Fit career on first rung of the ladder, I’ve always been inspired by his example and I’m honoured to be taking over from him as retail operations director,” adds Dan Joyce. “ Paul’s last act at this year’s company conference was a fitting one and reflects his Kwik Fit career – giving awards and prizes to centre managers who have consistently overdelivered in customer service over the last year. I wish him well in a thoroughly deserved retirement and look forward to maintaining that focus on service and building on his outstanding legacy.”