Meet The Staff At Seastar Superbikes
We are only ever as good as our team!
Dealer Principal
Vince Vrinten
I started Seastar Superbikes some 35 years ago. It was my passion for motorcycles that got me involved in the trade. This passion has extended to many other areas of the business but my focus is a continual drive to constantly build on customer service, along with the delivery of open, honest information. My philosophy for the running of the shop is simple; “Treat as you would want to be treated”. This philosophy has given me the satisfaction of making so many friends out of so many customers.
No hiding from it….I also look after the website content, and do my best to support the team that look after the store and our customers so very, very well.
Any issues? – my personal email is listed below. Please feel free to make contact.
Motorcycle Sales & Shop Manager
Tony Summerfield
Tony has only ever worked in the motorcycle trade. Since joining us over 15 years ago he is now in overall charge of motorcycle sales and most parts of the day to day business. Specialist subjects include Ducati and Kawasaki thanks to continual manufacturer training but he also has a wealth of knowledge regarding all of the other brands of used bikes that we sell. He is an exceptional salesman….with a difference. Tony has a conscience that overrides his need for sale. He truly understands my philosophy of “treat as you would like to be treated” – Any questions about bikes, he’s definitely your man – just don’t ask him to fix one…. please !
Contacts:
Email: sales@seastarsuperbikes.co.uk
Tel: 01508 471919 (Option 1)
Sales Execuitive
Antony Summerfield
Antony is our youngest member of staff. Do not let that lead you to conclusions. He happens to be Tony’s son, and the apple has not fallen far from the tree!!. Antony’s product knowledge is exceptional. His attention to detail commending and his approach with customers far exceeding his years. If you happen to be dealing with Antony….rest assured you are in very capable hands. As employer and Managing Director of Seastar, I couldn’t be more proud!! If the term mini me fitted anywhere, it is here. Tony and Antony make an exceptional sales team, that are always on hand for your needs.
Contacts:
Email: sales@seastarsuperbikes.co.uk
Tel: 01508 471919 (Option 1)
Service & After Sales Manager
Tim Rolph
We had the pleasure of dealing with Tim when he was service manager at a local BMW dealership. It was his approach then that made me think that this was a man for our team. (having previously had the same role with a Honda dealership). Having tried to get him to jump ship, he left the trade entirely for a couple of years. In all, it took us 5 years to get him onboard. Fortunately for all of us, he is now just that. The care and attention to detail that he gives in his role was well worth the wait. His knowledge, following factory training with both Ducati and Kawasaki is exceptional, particularly as he has come with so much previous experience. If you have any issues with one of our bikes, or simply need a service, Tim is your go-to man.
Now, with Bre under his wing, they make a formidable aftersales team.
Contacts:
Email: service@seastarsuperbikes.co.uk
Tel: 01508 471919 (Option 2)
Parts & Accessory Executive
Breana Rudd
Having worked most departments in the shop, Bre has found her roots in our parts and accessory department. This challenge was given to her reasonably recently, and, if you are looking for either parts or accessories, you could not be assisted by a more enthusiastic, willing individual. As MD, I have run this business for well over 35 years, and still, get faced with questions that I do not have the answers to. In that event, I turn to the 100 plus years of experience that are on tap within the heads of 4 other very experienced staff behind the scenes. I am so pleased to see that Bre, does exactly that. She is all about customer service. She has very quickly become “one of the family”.
She is still quite happy making sure the stock is clean and shining whilst ensuring you can all see picture online. One very grounded young lady!
Contacts:
Email: spares@seastarsuperbikes.co.uk
Tel: 01508 471919 (Option 3)
Clothing Manageress
Claire Woodbine
Claire will be known by some of you as our Service Manageress for some time. She moved to run our Clothing Department around the start of 2023. Having been trained by the manufacturers of the apparel and helmets that we sell she is well equipped to help you in your clothing selection and to ensure that your helmet fits correctly. Where possible she will tailor these to your requirements.
Contacts:
Email: clothing@seastarsuperbikes.co.uk
Tel: 01508 471919 (Option 4)
Chief Technician and MOT Tester
Nick Meredith
Nick joined us in the early nineties so has looked after the workshops for over 30 years. His wealth of knowledge, vast experience and eagerness to stay up to date with the ever advancing technologies ensures that no job is too much in the workshops here at Seastar Superbikes. In addition to being fully up to date with the the latest manufacturer training, he is also fully ATA accredited…… sorry, our world is full on acronyms…Don’t you just hate them!! – Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) is a national independent accreditation service that we opt to work with to ensure that you can have total faith in the work that our technicians carry out.
Contact the service department – would you want the tecnician working on your bike answering phone calls? – I wouldn’t, therefore they don’t.
Technician
Tom Hunter
Tom has a magnitude of experience in the trade. Having started his motorcycle career as a technician with us, moving on to be Service Manager for a few years, Tom departed to run his own health and safety training business within the motor trade for several years. He has re-joined us within the workshops with vastly extended knowledge and following both Ducati and Kawasaki factory training to bring him completely back up to speed, he is back in the fold. We are very happy to see him back at home. Tom is also fully ATA accredited. – Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) is a national independent accreditation service that we opt to work with to ensure that you can have total faith in the work that our technicians carry out.
Contact the service department – would you want the tecnician working on your bike answering phone calls? – I wouldn’t, therefore they don’t.
Technician and Dyno Operator
Steve Cudden
Steve has been with us for over 25 years, all of these being workshop based. As with all of our staff, Steve is being continually factory trained by both Kawasaki and Ducati in order to keep abreast of the latest technologies. In addition to this, after I ran the dyno/tuning section of the business for 10 years, he has been running our Dyno for the last 15 years and has a wealth of experience in fuel tuning and diagnostics. In addition to being fully up to date with the latest manufacturer training, he is also ATA accredited – Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) is a national independent accreditation service that we opt to work with to ensure that you can have total faith in the work that our technicians carry out.
Contact the service department – would you want the tecnician working on your bike answering phone calls? – I wouldn’t, therefore they don’t.
Office Manager
Lisa Catchpole
Lisa pretty much runs our back office. Looking after the administration, payroll, accounts and all of the other areas that are needed to keep Seastar ticking. Only generally seen on the shop floor when she is chasing one or other member of staff for their paperwork…. that’s a scary thing to watch !
Digital Marketing Manager
Cheryl Vrinten
Cheryl looks after social media for us. With over 20 years experience in digital marketing and website optimisation it is her job to ensure that you get to the information that you are looking for and to keep you updated with our latest activities.
Delivery driver
Shaun McVaigh
Shaun travels the length and breadth of the country for us to get your bikes safely delivered to you. This is in addition to running his own motorcycle business that takes on many of the trade ins that simply do not suit our marketplace. So you can imagine, his passion for motorcycles and understanding of top level customer service that we believe in, are well embedded within Shauns soul. He has been a very loyal customer to Seastar for over 30 years and as per the opening statement…A very good and long standing friend of mine.
Vision Technician
Doug Cudden
Doug has been cleaning up after us for years. Making sure that the showrooms stay spick and span. (Not an easy job when I keeps extending the shop).
As managing director, I am so very proud of the team that over nearly 40 years we have put together today to service your requirements. In fact, the team has become family. Rest assured, when you walk into Seastar Superbikes, you will get NO hard sell, simply decently principaled sales assistance. Unlike any in our trade – not one member of staff is targeted or bonus rewarded, ensuring that you as the customer walk away with the best deal for you – not the best commission paying deal for the sales person (a very small part of our treat as you would like to be treated ethic). We are very fortunate to have two very strong brands that not only sell themselves, but both stand by their product, way and above original promises. The test of a company is what happens when it all goes wrong… and sometimes, it does….. that is where both Ducati and Kawasaki excel.
We are also extremely fortunate to have an exceptionally loyal and supportive group of customers….Yes, that means you!
Thank you for your trust, your support, your freindship and your business. Vince.
In the event that you would like to contact me directly, my email is vince@seastarsuperbikes.co.uk