UK motor retail executives have shared their tributes following the unhappy deaths of two automotive sector specialists this month.

Brian Hawkins, who had a protracted profession in senior UK roles in seller community improvement with Fiat, Chevrolet, Caterham, MG Motor and most just lately, with Suzuki GB till retirement in 2020, has died.

The funeral of Hawkins (pictured above whereas at Chevrolet UK in 2012), a fellow of the Institute of the Motor Trade, might be held on October 4 at St Peter ‘s & St Paul’s Church in Stokenchurch.

Amongst many tributes, Steve Prew, Suzuki’s community improvement supervisor, posted on LinkedIn: “Massively unhappy to advise that Brian Hawkins FIMI has handed away.

“Relaxation in peace Brian, you’ll be a lot missed by many.”

Tony Denton, managing director of Batchelors Motor Group, shared his condolences, including: “Brian and his encyclopaedic data of UK franchising might be missed. RIP mate.”

And the sudden loss of life of Dan Kirby (pictured under), founding father of Commerce Value Automobiles in Wickford, Essex and co-founder of brokerage Octane Finance, only a month earlier than his thirty eighth birthday has shocked many trade colleagues.

David Bilsborough, a fellow impartial used automotive seller and a co-founder of the Impartial Motor Sellers Affiliation (IMDA), commented: “Dan was admired, revered and beloved by all. His passing is intestine wrenching. Nothing can’t be shared if we study something from Dan it’s that we should examine in with folks. I shed a tear upon listening to this unhappy information.”

Commerce Value Automobiles, which was applauded by Auto Dealer for its excessive buyer scores solely two months in the past, introduced in voluntary liquidators Paul Atkinson and Glyn Mummery from FRP Advisory in mid-September, and paperwork at Firms Home present it owed greater than £400,000 to HM Income & Customs. 

Kirby, who additionally beloved motorsport and ran the Commerce Value Automobiles Racing crew within the British Touring Automobile Championship in 2019 and 2020, leaves a spouse and two daughters. 

The BTCC stated in an announcement that it was deeply saddened, including: “A vastly well-liked determine within the paddock, Dan might be sorely missed. The BTCC neighborhood sends condolences to Dan’s spouse Beth, his two daughters, wider household, associates and colleagues.”