Hi, Shane. Can you tell us about your role at One Nexus?
I have been a non-executive director of One Nexus since 2018 by virtue of my family’s shareholding in the company. I do this jointly with our fellow shareholder, director, and family friend Ed White. Ed and my father, Dara Clarke, acquired Nexus in the early 2000s but Dad tragically and unexpectedly passed away in 2014. Our role as directors is governance focused. In collaboration with the management team, we set the medium-term strategy for the company, review the delivery of the annual business plans against budget and plot investment and future market focus.

What is your experience in the automotive industry so far?
My experience is one of a crash course, in getting myself up to speed with one of the fastest changing and most interesting industries in the 21st century. My career has been based in urban design and management. Everything from running 24/7 teams in Soho and Piccadilly Circus in London, to CEO at a European award-winning museum in Cork City in Ireland. Thus, a steep learning curve, but one aided by the expertise that One Nexus specialises in across fleet management, aftersales, courtesy vehicle programmes and trade parts sales via our clients in the UK, USA and Asia Pacific.

How has your journey with One Nexus been so far?
Both a joy, and a challenge! A joy in working with brilliant, entrepreneurial, and welcoming Nexus colleagues. A challenge in understanding the macro-economic direction of the motor industry and working with the management team to position One Nexus accordingly.

What would you say you enjoy most about your job?
I see our role as directors and shareholders, via financial investment and rigorous governance oversight, as giving the management team the wherewithal to be creative and entrepreneurial in pursuit of innovation, results, and profits! Seeing our plans to secure new clients, in new markets, with innovative proprietary software and management systems is very rewarding. And I’m confident we’re only just out of the starting blocks here.

What was it about One Nexus that made you want to get involved?
Tragic family circumstances drove my initial involvement, but I’m now fully embedded and extraordinarily passionate about the company, the fabulous team we have, and the stellar business opportunities materialising on a monthly basis.

Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
I’m increasingly green fingered. I love gardening. Good for the body and rewarding for the soul. The aim is the hands-on creation and cultivation of an urban oasis and wildlife haven in our town house garden in Cork City.

Finally, what is one thing you would like readers to know about yourself or One Nexus that they might not know already?
I was once a rather handy golfer! My claim to fame is beating Padraig Harrington – twice winner of the British Open – when I was a teenager. Unfortunately, I haven’t really picked up the clubs in a decade. That said, the global automotive world is rather golf crazy so perhaps the perfect excuse to network in the sun and at the 19th hole!