Darren Bradford has left the group managing director put up at AM100 new entrant RJTK Automotive to launch his personal used automobile dealership in Lincolnshire.

Bradford had been with the enterprise for 11 years, initially operating its Drayton Motors division for proprietor Robin Wilson till turning into group MD in early 2023 as Wilson took a md function. Whereas heading Drayton, Bradford led the enterprise to win a quantity of awards, together with an AM Award for Finest Used Automobile Efficiency in 2018, the identical 12 months that it obtained a International Prime Seller Award from Kia. And in 2017, 2018 and 2019 Drayton Kia in Boston certified as an AM Finest Dealership To Work For. He was additionally Extremely Counseled within the AM Awards Basic Supervisor of the Yr class in 2018.

He mentioned: “I’ve determined to depart RJTK after a tremendous 11 years. I want to thank Robin Wilson and Tom Wilson for all of the assist over time and I want all of the superb workers a really affluent and joyful future.”

His new enterprise is REVS (Automotive), which is able to concentrate on used petrol and diesel automobile gross sales with a private contact – Bradford advised AM he actually enjoys serving to clients discover the engine sort, efficiency and trim stage they dream of.

“As soon as I’ve constructed this enterprise up over the approaching years I plan to be again on the AM Awards once more to attempt to declare one other trophy. I’ve my Extremely Counseled award sat in entrance of me to remind me,” he advised AM’s editor Tim Rose.  

Bradford, who started his personal profession as a valeter at a storage in Kent, had a agency perception as a pacesetter in supporting and rewarding the workforce whereas at Drayton and RJTK, sustaining an “uplifting vibe”, he advised AM in 2020. 

“We give them all the pieces,” mentioned Bradford on the time. “Why will we do this? As a result of they offer us all the pieces.”

He mentioned that he’ll all the time give workers a second likelihood and is eager to advertise a tradition the place anybody desirous to progress is given an opportunity to do to.

“I used to be fortunate, I used to be given an opportunity once I began out and made essentially the most of it,” he mentioned.

RJTK, which runs dealerships below the Wilson & Co, Drayton Motors and Autohub manufacturers in Lincolnshire and Lancashire, entered the AM100 rankings in 98th place final November, after a number of years of growth with its Kia, Suzuki, Maxus and Vauxhall companies.