Paul Van-Hill

Paul has vast experience and has only ever worked in the motor trade and when he bought the business from the previous owners in 2019 he transformed the look and feel of the company with a change of name and branding to Henwood Garage and a focus on high quality work and excellent customer service.

Paul was born in Ashford and now lives with his wife Kim and young daughter Grace.

As an independent business owner spare time can be hard to find but apart from spending quality time with his family he enjoys poker and playing and watching football.

His musical tastes range widely from Classical to Pop and when it comes to the silver screen Paul is clearly a fan of Will Ferrell as he lists Anchorman and Step Brothers amongst his favourite films.

Paul loves good American Crime Dramas with Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, both created by Vince Gilligan, at the top of the list and by way of contrast he also enjoys the American adult animated science fiction sitcom Mick and Morty.

His favourite holiday destination is the Maldives and if he were ever stranded on a desert island Paul has chosen a selection of music, Jet Skis and a football amongst his luxury items.

Kim Van-Hill

Kim is a native of Ashford but now lives with her husband Paul and young daughter Grace.

She had previously worked in a children’s home for 9 years and brings her considerable administration and finance skills to the business to support the team and help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

The smell of the oil and the roar of the engine appealed to Kim long before her association with Henwood Garage as she used to race ‘National Ministox’ between the ages of 11-16 years under the watchful eye of her dad who had previously raced banger cars.

She now likes nothing more than socialising with family and friends but after a hard days work a bath, a film and a nice meal help her unwind and recharge the batteries.

Her favourite film is the highly acclaimed Shawshank Redemption, based on a Stephen King noval, starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins and when it comes to feet up in front of the TV time, then Goggle Box is Kim’s number one choice.

She enjoys playing and watching netball, loves the New Forest area and 90’s chart music would be her preferred choice of listening.

If Kim were stranded on a desert island her three very practical essential items would be suncream, a lighter, or some other method of easily making a fire, and a tent.

Simon Bean

Simon was born in Cuckfield, West Sussex but he has now made Ashford his home.

He’s spent virtually all his working life in garage services and his wealth of experience and knowledge as a mechanic are second to none. He’s been with Henwood Garage since day one and has great relationship with clients who have come to rely on his expertise.

When he’s not got his head under the bonnet of a car he likes to go Clay Pigeon Shooting and enjoys watching Rugby and Cricket.

His favourite movie is the 2019 crime drama The Highwaymen starring Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson and has a broad taste in music.

He also likes sitting back and relaxing watching TV and ‘Family Guy’ is his programme of choice.

He enjoys walking and that may go a long way to explaining why his favourite holiday destination is Australia.

If he were stranded on a desert island his three items of choice would be water, food and sun cream, which is about the most sensible and practical answer I’ve ever heard to this question.

Michael Hall

Michael is an experienced mechanic who joined Henwood Garage in 2014, he was born and lives in Ashford.

He is a keen fisherman and nothing pleases him more than watching fishing programmes on TV or following his real specialist passion for Carp Fishing.

His favourite sport is golf and when it comes to music, dance and trance are his somewhat unexpected choice.

His favourite holiday destinations are Spain and Malta and his nickname is ‘Logger’ ….we’ll leave you to work that one out!

Michael’s favourite film is the 1999 American classic fantasy drama ‘The Green Mile’ starring Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan and based on Stephen King’s 1996 novel of the same name.

If he were stranded on a desert island his items of choice would be a fishing rod, lighter, cigarettes and a big bladed knife.

Michele Whitehouse

Michele was born in the West London suburb of Hillingdon and now lives in Ashford with her Son.

She has worked in the motor trade for much of her career holding various administration and management roles before she joined the Henwood Garage team around 2009.

Michele lists ‘anything before from 1985’ as her favourite period for music and likes nothing more than getting stuck into a ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ box set when she puts her feet up at the end of a hard day’s work.

‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is a 2010 American computer-animated action fantasy film loosely based on the 2003 book of the same name and it is Michele’s absolute favourite film.

Her love of horses dominate her hobby and leisure time and Michelle would love to open an animal rescue centre if she ever got the opportunity.

Michele lived in Cyprus for two years between 2004-2006 and would still select the island as her top holiday destination.

If she were stranded on a desert island she would like to have mascara, her dog and her son with her but she hasn’t indicated which would be her priority order.

Lauren Rollings

Lauren has lived in Ashford all her life and is the youngest of four children. She is a keen sports woman and likes to play netball and keeps fit with regular attendance at her local gym.

She also loves watching Rugby, enjoys photography and when ever the time allows a bit of retail therapy and travelling are listed amongst her hobbies.

She lives with her partner and joined Henwood Garage earlier in 2020 and having previously been a retail supervisor she has developed a good range of customer service and team skills that make her ideal for her role here.

There is nothing Lauren likes more at the end of a hard days work than kicking off her shoes and enjoying a nice glass of wine whilst selecting one of the many film options available on Netflix other film channels are available and if Netflix doesn’t deliver then she loves two absolute classic and well loved TV series, Game of Thrones and Peaky Blinders.

Amongst her favourite films is the Greatest Showman starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Michelle Williams. The 2017 musical drama was premiered in December 2017 aboard the RMS Queen Mary 2 but we don’t believe Lauren made it to the guest list.

Her music taste is broad and varied but no surprise that with a love of the glizt and glamour delivered by the Greatest Showman that her favourite holiday destination in Las Vegas.

She has a pet Tortoise called Bow and if she were stranded on a dessert island her three luxury items of choice would be a smart phone, her bed and her boyfriend, although its not clear if her bed and her boyfriend are dependent on both being available at the same time.

James Greenfield

James brought a wealth of experience with him when he joined the team at Henwood Garage early in 2020 as he had previously worked in fleet servicing and had his own business as a mobile mechanic.

When he’s not working he enjoys walking his dog, fishing, shooting and servicing intricate mechanical watches and his favourite sport is bike racing.

He was born in Chatham but now lives in Ashford and has his son staying with him pretty much every weekend.

His favourite band is Led Zeppelin (not a bad choice) and his stairway to TV heaven is 8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown. His top film is the 1989 Slapstick Comedy Classic ‘National Lampoons Xmas Vacation’ starring Chevy Chase.

If James were stranded on a desert island he would want to have a scuba mask, a spear gun and his cherished 1968 Seiko Dive Watch as his three luxury items.