The Collecting Group interview questions

I recently interviewed for a CMO role at Collecting Car Group and chose to withdraw from the process. From what I saw, this is an underperforming business with very limited real growth prospects, despite how it’s presented during hiring. There’s a clear disconnect between expectations and reality. The growth ambitions being discussed felt completely unrealistic given the current state of the business, its performance, and overall direction. It gave the impression that they are looking for someone to fix fundamental issues without acknowledging the scale of the challenge. After going through the process, I felt it was the right decision to step away. I would strongly caution anyone considering interviewing here to think carefully, especially if you’re coming from a stronger-performing environment. It doesn’t feel like a business set up for success

This is the 3rd time I have had to post this as they keep trying to remove my experience. Despite concerns raised by numerous negative reviews, I applied to Collecting Cars for a senior Sales Manager role due to my passion for the automotive industry and over ten years’ experience in senior management.The interview process initially appeared very positive. I progressed through multiple stages and received consistently strong feedback from the person who can't be name as this will be removed, repeatedly told me I had performed exceptionally well and should expect an offer. Based on these assurances, I continued through a lengthy and demanding process in good faith.Prior to my final interview, the person who can't be named warned me that the CEO, Ed Lovett, had a “very particular” way of speaking to people and asked whether I had ever dealt with a manager who was “a bit crazy”. I mentioned that I had seen Glassdoor reviews describing him as a “sociopath”. Unfortunately, the meeting lived up to those concerns.The first two questions Ed asked me were my age and my ethnicity. As a person of colour, I found this shocking and wholly inappropriate. The remainder of the interview largely consisted of me having to defend my experience and current role. I was then told I would hear back within one to two days to discuss commission structure.After this, communication deteriorated significantly. Despite repeated follow-ups, the person who can't be made provided vague explanations, shifting timelines, and assurances that were not honoured. Weeks passed with no clear outcome. I was eventually informed that, despite the role being advertised for six months and me being the final candidate they were “happy with”, it had been given to an internal applicant.I was then verbally offered an alternative senior role by the person who can't be named, which I accepted in good faith. I was promised written confirmation and paperwork early the following week. This never arrived. Multiple follow up emails were opened but ignored, and all communication ceased.As a direct result of this misleading and unprofessional handling of the process, I declined other senior opportunities and suffered financial loss.Based on my experience, which closely aligns with many other reviews, Collecting Cars demonstrates poor leadership, a lack of accountability within its recruitment function, and a complete disregard for candidates.  The Collecting Group, and Collecting Cars in particular, has serious issues that require immediate attention. Their brand does not have a positive reputation, and my experience has only reinforced that view.