Who we are
Vertu Motors plc was formed in late 2006 to acquire and consolidate UK motor retail businesses. The Group was founded as a new entrant into the UK motor retail sector and is listed on the AIM market (UK:VTU).
Bristol Street Motors originated in the early 1900’s as a single Ford dealership located on Bristol Street in central Birmingham (www.bristolstreet.co.uk). Since those early days the business has grown to become one of the largest automotive retail brands in the UK. The Vertu Motors Group now has a nationwide chain of franchised motor dealerships offering sales, service, parts and bodyshop facilities for new and used car and commercial vehicles. The Group operates a number of Premium franchise dealerships such as Volvo and is the largest operator of Honda dealerships in the UK. In 2010 Vertu Motors expanded into Scotland, trading under the Macklin Motors brand (www.macklinmotors.co.uk). Vertu Motors plc is now the 7th largest motor retailer in the United Kingdom and was awarded the Motor Trader Dealer Group of the Year in 2008 and Best Dealer Group in the 2012 Motability Supplier Awards.
Our Board of Directors
Robert Forrester: Chief Executive Officer
Robert is the CEO of Vertu Motors plc, the 7th largest automotive retailer in the UK. He was previously a director of Reg Vardy plc between 2001 and 2006, appointed as Finance Director in 2001 and Managing Director in 2005, until the sale of the business to Pendragon plc in 2006. Robert qualified as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen. He is also a member of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Confederation of British Industry and a keen supporter of Burnley FC.
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Michael Sherwin: Finance Director
Michael has extensive retail, transactional and public market experience. From 1999 to 2008, Michael was Group Finance Director of Games Workshop Group PLC, a FTSE listed consumer goods company. Michael is a qualified Chartered Accountant having trained with Price Waterhouse, where he held positions in the UK, Paris and Sydney. He was also Non-Executive Director of Plusnet plc, an AIM listed internet business, from 2004-2007.
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Paul Williams: Non-Executive Chairman
Paul was Chief Executive of Bristol Street Group Limited until its acquisition by Vertu Motors plc. Paul has over thirty years of motor retail experience and is well respected in the motor retail sector. This was reflected by his appointment to the role of Chairman of the National Franchised Dealer Association (NFDA) between 13 July 2006 and 7 July 2011 and further reinforced by his appointment as the new Chairman of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) between October 2008 and August 2011.
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Bill Teasdale: Non-Executive Director; Chairman of the Audit Committee
Bill is a non-executive director of a number of private companies including British Engines Limited and Bedmax Limited. He was non-executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee at Reg Vardy plc between 2002 and 2006. Prior to this he was the Senior Partner at the Newcastle upon Tyne office of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Bill has substantial experience of corporate transactions and within the quoted company environment.
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David Forbes: Non-Executive Director; Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
David is a Corporate Finance advisor, most recently as a Managing Director at Rothschild where he has developed his career over the last 22 years. Prior to that he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1984 and worked for a number of organisations in corporate finance roles. His areas of expertise include mergers acquisitions, corporate strategy and corporate finance, involving both debt and equity. His other non-executive appointments include non-executive directorships at Codex Global and Renew Holdings plc. David is also the non-executive Chairman at MaxAim LLP.
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Nigel Stead: Non-Executive Director; Chairman of the Nominations Committee
Nigel was previously CEO of Lex Autolease, the UK’s largest contract hire and leasing group. He has also been a Non- Executive Director of Motability Operations Group plc and Universal Salvage plc. Nigel is currently a Director of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association and a Non-Executive Director of Prohire plc and Merrion Fleet Management Limited.
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Company registration number 5984855 | Date of incorporation 1st November 2006 | Country of incorporation England and Wales | Main country of operation UK
Registered Office: Vertu House, Kingsway North, Team Valley, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE11 0JH