Darren Bradford has left the group managing director post at AM100 new entrant RJTK Automotive to launch his own used car dealership in Lincolnshire.
Bradford had been with the business for 11 years, initially running its Drayton Motors division for owner Robin Wilson until becoming group MD in early 2023 as Wilson took a chairman role. While heading Drayton, Bradford led the business to win a number of awards, including an AM Award for Best Used Car Performance in 2018, the same year that it received a Global Top Dealer Award from Kia. And in 2017, 2018 and 2019 Drayton Kia in Boston qualified as an AM Best Dealership To Work For. He was also Highly Commended in the AM Awards General Manager of the Year category in 2018.
He said: “I have decided to leave RJTK after an amazing 11 years. I would like to thank Robin Wilson and Tom Wilson for all the support over the years and I wish all the amazing staff a very prosperous and happy future.”
His new venture is REVS (Automotive), which will specialise in used petrol and diesel car sales with a personal touch – Bradford told AM he really enjoys helping customers find the engine type, performance and trim level they dream of.
“Once I’ve built this business up over the coming years I plan to be back at the AM Awards again to try to claim another trophy. I have my Highly Commended award sat in front of me to remind me,” he told AM’s editor Tim Rose.
Bradford, who began his own career as a valeter at a garage in Kent, had a firm belief as a leader in supporting and rewarding the workforce while at Drayton and RJTK, maintaining an “uplifting vibe”, he told AM in 2020.
“We give them everything,” said Bradford at the time. “Why do we do that? Because they give us everything.”
He said that he will always give staff a second chance and is keen to promote a culture where anyone wanting to progress is given a chance to do to.
“I was lucky, I was given a chance when I started out and made the most of it,” he said.
RJTK, which runs dealerships under the Wilson & Co, Drayton Motors and Autohub brands in Lincolnshire and Lancashire, entered the AM100 rankings in 98th position last November, after several years of expansion with its Kia, Suzuki, Maxus and Vauxhall businesses.
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- Source: https://www.am-online.com/news/people-news/2024/03/06/md-leaves-am100-dealer-group-to-start-own-business
