About us

Recruitment Built on Relationships

Our Story

RK Automotive Recruitment is built on relationships, not just results. We take a hands-on, personal approach to every placement and invest time in understanding the people and businesses behind each opportunity.

Recruitment in the motor trade should not feel rushed or transactional. The right hire affects performance, culture and reputation inside a dealership — it deserves proper attention. We are straightforward, approachable and honest in how we work. Clients trust us to represent their businesses properly. Candidates trust us to handle their careers with care.

Why RK Exists

Too much recruitment in the automotive sector has become transactional — CVs sent without context, roles rushed to market, candidates pushed forward without proper assessment. That approach wastes time and damages trust.

We built RK Automotive Recruitment to raise the standard. We take time to understand the commercial reality of a dealership, the expectations behind each role and the culture inside the team. Then we find people who genuinely fit.

Meet the RK Team

Co-Director

Josh Robertson

Josh brings more than a decade of experience in the motor trade, including senior roles such as Business Manager at Lookers PLC. Having worked on the front line of dealership operations, he understands the commercial pressures of the industry and what it takes to run a high-performing team.

His background spans sales targets, KPI management, CRM systems, FCA compliance and operational leadership. Josh is structured, analytical and detail-focused, with a strong interest in systems, data and the role emerging technologies such as AI can play in modern automotive businesses.

Outside work, Josh enjoys competitive football, keeping fit, and exploring scenic hiking trails. As a Formula 1 obsessive, he’s always ready to talk pit strategies and team tactics.

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Co-Director

Tom Knapp

Tom built his reputation in the motor trade through performance, professionalism and strong relationships. An accomplished salesman with a consistent track record, he is known for being straightforward, approachable and focused on achieving the right outcome.

Tom has a natural instinct for people — understanding what motivates individuals, how they operate under pressure and how they will integrate into a team. That perspective allows him to identify candidates who will genuinely succeed within a business.

Outside work, Tom is an outstanding multi-sport athlete, having represented his county at tennis, cricket, badminton and table tennis, and GB at baseball. If there's a ball and a bat involved — whatever the shape — Tom rarely misses.

RK Values

Personality

This industry runs on people. We look beyond job titles and performance numbers to understand mindset, attitude and ambition. Track record matters — but so does character. We represent our clients properly and treat candidates with respect. Professional. Engaged. Straightforward.

Trust

Trust takes time to build and seconds to lose. We are honest about timelines, expectations and market realities. If something is not right, we say so. If a candidate is not a fit, we do not push them forward. Long-term relationships matter more than short-term wins.

Partnership

Recruitment works best as a partnership. We stay involved from the first conversation through to placement and beyond — calls returned, feedback delivered, issues handled. Our clients deal directly with decision makers who care about the outcome.

Contact

Office 17119,
182-184 High Street North,
East Ham,
London,
UK,

E6 2JA

123-456-7890

info@rkautorec.co.uk