Motor retail group hands over showroom keys following dealerships sale

Established motor retail group, Clive Brook Volvo, has sold its two dealerships to family-run company Ray Chapman Motors.

It is almost 15 years to the day that Clive Brook opened his first Volvo site on Canal Road, Bradford, and the retailer has been providing motor services to the people of Yorkshire ever since.

Following the decision of managing director, Clive Brook, to retire, both the company’s Bradford and Huddersfield retailers will be taken over by Ray Chapman Motors, which already operates Volvo sites in neighbouring areas Malton and York.

Ray Chapman Motors officially acquired the sites on 31 January 2023, expanding its retailer portfolio to four – making it one of the largest Volvo retailer groups in the country.

Brook said: “After nearly 40 years of working and 15 years of building and developing the Clive Brook brand, the time has now come for me to retire and to pass on our much-loved business, team members and loyal customers to the capable and enthusiastic hands of the Chapman family.

“Much has changed in the motor trade over the years, and I’m very excited for Clive Brook Limited to benefit from the scale and resources of being part of a successful and dynamic – but most importantly – family retailer group.

“I wish Duncan, the Chapman family and the wider Ray Chapman team every success in the future.”

Duncan Chapman, managing director of Ray Chapman Motors, said: “Clive has created a motoring retailer legacy in the North over the past few decades, and we look forward to continuing the exceptional experience, trust and relationships that he has built with Volvo drivers in Bradford and Huddersfield.”

Kristian Elvefors, Volvo Car UK managing director, added: “I’d like to personally thank Clive Brook for his dedication to the Volvo brand and for the exceptional job he and the teams at the Clive Brook Bradford and Huddersfield sites have done over the years.

“We also couldn’t be happier that Ray Chapman Motors is taking over both retailers, doubling its representation in the area from two to four sites.

“Ray Chapman Motors is a fantastic consumer-focused business and a multiple winner of Volvo Car UK’s Retailer of the Year award, so we know new and existing Volvo customers alike will continue to be well served into the future.”

The deal was managed by David Kendrick and the wider automotive team at UHY Hacker Young, who represented Clive Brook Limited.

Kendrick said: “The two sites fit perfectly with Chapman’s and now allow it to become a real regional player with the brand.”

Clive Brook was advised by Clarion with a team comprising Amy Buttrick, Parul Hargreaves, Tony Berry and Jonathan Simms.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close