One of Yorkshire鈥檚 largest privately-owned businesses, car dealership operator JCT600, has appointed a new managing director.
Richard Hargraves, who started his motor industry as a parts trainee, takes the step up from operations director at the Bradford head office.
He said: 鈥淚 am really excited about my new role and look forward to working with our hugely experienced team of directors and talented colleagues throughout the business. My aim is to ensure that we remain one of the most respected and trusted names in the sector as we continue to evolve our retail model in line with customers鈥 needs in order to deliver the first class experience they have come to expect.鈥
Having started his career in the motor industry as a parts trainee, he moved into sales, working for a number of leading car brands. He joined JCT600 in 1999 as a used car buyer and was promoted to sales manager within 18 months. Five years later, Richard, then 29, became BMW general manager, one of the youngest in the BMW network.
After a five year spell with another business, in 2006 Richard was appointed as JCT600 brand director, responsible for the three Porsche centres in Leeds, Newcastle and Sheffield, as well as the company鈥檚 Bentley dealerships in Leeds and Newcastle and its BMW/MINI dealership in Bradford.
In 2012, Richard was promoted to operations director, subsequently taking responsibility for all of the company鈥檚 brands 鈥 the group represents 22 of the world鈥檚 leading car marques including Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce and Volkswagen.
As managing director he will work closely with chief executive John Tordoff, supporting the operations board in managing the group鈥檚 48 dealerships from Yorkshire and the North East to Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
Mr Tordoff said: 鈥淲ith over 30 years鈥 experience in the motor industry, Richard has a wealth of knowledge and has played a key role in our continued growth. As a company that prides itself on nurturing and developing its team, he is a great role model for colleagues as he has risen through the ranks and understands the business inside out.鈥
鈥淲orking as a member of our four-strong main board, Richard鈥檚 new role will further strengthen the management of the business as we continue to evolve and build on our position as one of the most successful motor groups in the 海角视频.鈥
Founded in 1946 as Brooklands Garage on Sticker Lane, Bradford, by current chairman Jack Tordoff, JCT600 remains a family business.
