John joined British Leyland in 1974, which marked the beginning of a remarkable transformation of British Leyland’s parts division into a fast-growing consumer brand for all makes of car parts and accessories. Amid the challenges at British Leyland, Unipart stood out as one of the few consistently profitable businesses, with nearly 600 Unipart shops and 100 Unipart Car Care Centres across Britain. At just 29, John became Managing Director of the British Leyland parts division, one of its youngest executives, leading its most successful business.

The The Answer is Yes, Now What’s the Question? campaign by Unipart in the 1980s was widely recognised in the advertising industry as a pioneering and distinctive approach, because it blurred the lines between marketing and corporate culture. Instead of merely selling a product or service, Unipart was selling an experience and a promise of exceptional customer service. It represented a shift towards value-driven marketing, where the focus was on the company’s commitment and values rather than just its products.

The Answer is Yes, Now What’s the Question? was seen as a trailblazer in emphasising customer-centricity and embedding a service-first mindset into a brand’s identity.

In 1987, John Neill achieved what many deemed impossible by orchestrating a groundbreaking management and employee buyout of a parts division from its parent car company, a venture unprecedented globally. True to Unipart’s innovative spirit, this monumental transition was uniquely communicated to all employees through a captivating four-hour theatrical production, effectively transforming the prospectus into a musical experience. John was steadfast in his commitment to broad employee share ownership, ensuring that equity was not merely held by a select group of managers but was accessible to a wide range of staff. He eagerly anticipates the day when Unipart can once again offer employees at all levels the opportunity to invest in shares, fully realising his original vision of inclusive ownership.

Unipart’s sustained success and expansion are underpinned by its distinctive approach to business, known as The Unipart Way. Initiated in 1988, it has evolved from manufacturing to logistics and is now integral to how Unipart’s colleagues operate daily, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, employee engagement, and openness to change.

John also wrote Unipart’s guiding philosophy, which is to ‘Understand the real and perceived needs of our customers better than anyone else and serve them better than anyone else.’ This way of thinking has enabled Unipart to develop long-lasting customer relationships and expand into new sectors over the decades.

Reflecting on this, John said:

“At the time of our buyout in 1987, the company had a single point of failure, but today it operates across multiple sectors, with diverse customers, technologies, and geographies. We have maintained valued partnerships with blue-chip automotive, technology, healthcare, and rail companies, while winning new customers in aerospace, retail, motorsport, and industrial services. In 2023, we delivered £1bn in turnover, with growth in profits, and we are well positioned for further expansion.”

John’s visionary leadership has not only fuelled Unipart’s growth but has also positively impacted broader industries and institutions. Beyond his achievements with Unipart, he has been an influential figure in the business community, serving as an active member of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), a past President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), and a participant in several Government working groups. He has also served on the Court of the Bank of England and on the boards of Charter International plc, Midlands Energy plc, Rolls-Royce plc, and Royal Mail Holdings plc.

Recognized for his contributions, John was appointed a CBE for services to industry in 1994. He has been awarded honorary doctorates from Oxford Brookes University, De Montfort University, and Middlesex University, as well as from Strathclyde University, where he was honoured for the success of Unipart and the implementation of The Unipart Way as a model of creating exceptional performance through employee engagement. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply. John was also named one of just 40 Business in The Community (BITC) Fellows, serving on the BITC board for 30 years.