Bromley started his career with accountants Gill and Johnson in Nairobi, where he unenthusiastically spent the first year of his working life. In 1964, he won an apprenticeship with the Cooper Motor Corporation Ltd, sole importer/distributor of Volkswagen, Holden, Rover and Land Rover vehicles in East Africa. In 1967 Bromley was transferred to the company’s Nakuru Branch as workshop supervisor. During the first 3 months of Bromley’s management, workshop turnover had increased by 25% and profitability had increased considerably.
In late ’67, Bromley accepted the position of Assistant Service Manager with Westlands Motors Ltd, sole importer/distributor of Toyota vehicles for Kenya. By 1968, his potential for selling vehicles had been recognised and he was promoted to the position of Technical Sales Executive at the company’s Kenyan head office. During 1969 and 1970, Bromley sold 800 vehicles, mainly new Toyotas. Bromley was a major contributor, when in 1970, for the first time ever, a Japanese Importer/Distributor made it to the coveted number one position in total annual vehicle sales.
In 1971, the company was taken over by international giant Lonrho PLC. Bromley was promoted to the position of Sales Manager and in 1974, General Sales Manager for Kenya.
1972- Management line-up
In 1976, he joined the board as Sales Director and later that year, whilst retaining his directorship, was promoted to the position of General Manager for Kenya. The company continued to enjoy success and in June, 1978, under Bromley’s management, sold 444 new Toyota vehicles – a record for any East African vehicle importer/distributor. In 1978 Bromley was promoted to the position of managing director, the position which he held until his resignation in 1984. He maintains that he hadn’t missed a single rung of the ladder!
Bromley’s climb on the corporate ladder
