The roar of the crowd may have faded for England and Yorkshire cricketing legend Matthew Hoggard MBE, but his competitive spirit is far from extinguished. While leveraging his sporting prowess through coaching and after-dinner speaking, the former swing bowler has ignited a new passion, one forged in the flames of South African braais during his formative years.
“Living in South Africa as a young cricketer opened my eyes to the art of proper barbecuing,” explains Hoggard. “It was a way of life, and I learned from the best.” This deep-seated passion has now materialised into Hoggy’s Grill School, a venture offering hands-on barbecue masterclasses on the picturesque banks of Rutland Water.
Recognising the opportunity to expand his culinary footprint, Hoggard recently launched a mobile grilling operation, complete with a substantial trailer. The challenge? Finding the right vehicle to tow his burgeoning business on wheels.
Enter CBVC Vehicle Management. Hoggard’s connection with CBVC MD Mike Manners, forged through their shared association with Champions UK PLC, made them a natural first call. “Having known Mike for some time, it felt right to ask CBVC to source a Double Cab pick-up for the mobile grill school,” says Hoggard.
For CBVC, Hoggard’s request proved to be a timely opportunity. As Mike Manners explains:
“While our primary focus has been new vehicle leasing, we were in the early stages of exploring the used commercial vehicle market to complement our growing used electric car division. Hoggard’s need aligned perfectly with our upcoming launch of used commercials in partnership with Lex Autolease. It’s been a valuable learning experience for us.”
The result? Hoggard is now the proud owner of a Ford Ranger Double Cab, strategically signwritten by CBVC to maximise brand visibility. “The truck is awesome, and it’s definitely turning heads,” Hoggard remarks, a testament to the power of a well-branded vehicle in a mobile business.
This story isn’t just about a sportsman transitioning to entrepreneurship; it’s about identifying a passion, leveraging existing networks, and finding the right partners to fuel growth. Hoggard’s Grill School, powered by CBVC’s timely support, is a prime example of how a personal passion, combined with strategic business decisions, can ignite a successful new venture.
For vehicle leasing solutions, visit: https://cbvcleasing.com To experience the heat of Hoggy’s Grill, visit: https://www.hoggysgrill.com/
