When it comes to buying a car or finding reliable automotive services in the UK, Vertu Motors has established itself as a household name. As one of the country’s most recognizable dealership groups, the company has built a reputation for quality service and an extensive network of locations across England and Scotland.
What is Vertu Motors?
Vertu Motors is a publicly traded automotive retailer that has grown from modest beginnings into the fourth-largest car dealership group in the United Kingdom. Established in 2006, the company officially began trading in 2007 with the strategic acquisition of Bristol Street Motors, a dealership with roots dating back to 1924. Today, Vertu Motors plc operates over 190 franchised dealerships, representing more than 20 premium and mainstream manufacturers.
The company’s headquarters, known as the Vertu Motors head office, oversees operations across hundreds of individual sites throughout the country. Listed on the Alternative Investment Market, the business has demonstrated consistent growth through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.
Leadership and Vision: Robert Forrester’s Role
Under the guidance of Chief Executive Robert Forrester, the company has navigated significant industry changes and maintained its position as a leading automotive retailer. Robert Forrester has been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of the organization, overseeing major acquisitions and the recent brand consolidation initiative that unified all dealerships under the Vertu name. His leadership has helped steer the business through challenging market conditions while maintaining focus on customer service excellence and operational efficiency.
Understanding the Vertu Motors Share Price and Financial Performance
For investors keeping an eye on the automotive retail sector, the Vertu Motors share price has been a point of interest. The company initiated a share buyback program in February 2025, demonstrating confidence in its financial position. Since 2017, the organization has returned over £44.9 million to shareholders, reflecting a commitment to delivering value.
Recent analyst ratings have positioned the stock with a Hold recommendation and a price target of £69.00. The financial stability of Vertu Motors plc is supported by its diverse revenue streams, including new and used vehicle sales, servicing operations, and various ancillary businesses that complement the core dealership model.
How Vertu Motors Rebrands Dealerships: The 2025 Consolidation
One of the most significant recent developments occurred when Vertu Motors rebrands dealerships under a unified identity. In early 2025, the company made the strategic decision to consolidate three separate retail brands into a single, cohesive Vertu name. Macklin Motors transitioned to the Vertu brand in February 2025, followed by Bristol Street Motors making the same change in April 2025.
This rebranding initiative means that customers can now expect a consistent experience across all locations, whether they’re visiting a showroom in Newcastle, Derby, Exeter, or Hereford. The unified brand approach simplifies the customer journey and strengthens brand recognition across the UK market.
Finding Vertu Motors Near Me: Locations Across the UK
With a network spanning 194 sales outlets, finding Vertu Motors near me is easier than ever for customers throughout England and Scotland. The company maintains a strong presence in major cities and regional areas, ensuring that quality automotive services are accessible to a broad customer base.
Some notable location-specific operations include:
Vertu Motors Newcastle serves the North East region, which is also home to the Vertu Motors Arena. This multi-purpose venue hosts the Newcastle Eagles basketball team and various community events, demonstrating the company’s commitment to local engagement beyond automotive retail.
Vertu Motors Derby provides comprehensive services to customers in the East Midlands, offering access to multiple manufacturer brands under one trusted name.
Vertu Motors Exeter caters to customers in the South West, bringing premium automotive retail to Devon and surrounding areas.
Vertu Motors Hereford extends the company’s reach into the West Midlands, ensuring rural and semi-urban communities have access to quality dealership services.
Exploring Vertu Motors Careers: Opportunities in Automotive Retail
The company’s expansion has created numerous employment opportunities across the UK. Vertu Motors careers encompass a wide range of roles, from sales and customer service positions to technical specialists and management opportunities. The organization employs thousands of people across its network, making it one of the significant employers in the UK automotive sector.
Those interested in joining the team can explore opportunities through the company’s dedicated careers portal, which lists openings across various departments and locations. The business values customer service excellence and invests in employee development, creating pathways for career progression within the organization.
However, like many businesses in the automotive sector, the company has faced challenges. News of Vertu Motors job cuts has emerged at various points as the business adapts to market conditions and seeks operational efficiency. These adjustments reflect the broader changes occurring throughout the automotive retail industry as it navigates evolving consumer preferences and economic pressures.
Who Owns Vertu Motors? Understanding the Ownership Structure
Many customers and investors wonder, Who owns Vertu Motors? As a publicly listed company on the Alternative Investment Market, ownership is distributed among various institutional and individual shareholders. The company is not controlled by a single owner but rather operates under the governance of a board of directors that represents shareholder interests.
This public ownership structure provides transparency through regular financial reporting and ensures that the business operates with accountability to its diverse shareholder base.
Comprehensive Services: What Vertu Motors Offers
The company’s business operations extend far beyond simple vehicle sales. Customers can access a full suite of automotive services, including:
- New and used car sales from over 20 manufacturer brands, including Audi, BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Land Rover, and Toyota
- Commercial vehicle sales for businesses requiring vans and light commercial transport
- Servicing and MOT testing to keep vehicles roadworthy and compliant
- Vehicle repairs and genuine parts supply
- Fleet management solutions for organizations operating 25 or more vehicles
- Business contract hire and leasing options
Many customers appreciate the convenience of the Vertu Motors service plan, which provides scheduled maintenance packages that help spread the cost of vehicle upkeep. These plans offer peace of mind by ensuring that cars receive regular professional attention from qualified technicians.
What Do Vertu Motors Reviews Say?
Customer feedback is essential in the automotive retail sector, and Vertu Motors reviews across various platforms provide insights into the customer experience. Like any large organization serving hundreds of thousands of customers annually, the company receives a mix of feedback. Many customers praise the professionalism of sales staff, the quality of vehicle preparation, and the convenience of having multiple manufacturer options available at a single location.
The business operates a seven-day contact center to address customer inquiries and concerns, demonstrating a commitment to service that extends beyond the point of sale. Customer satisfaction remains a strategic priority as the company continues to refine its operations and enhance the buying and ownership experience.
The Vertu Motors Arena: Community Engagement Beyond Cars
The Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle represents the company’s investment in community engagement beyond automotive retail. This venue serves as home to the Newcastle Eagles basketball team and hosts various sporting events, concerts, and community gatherings throughout the year. The partnership with the Caledonia Gladiators further extends the basketball sponsorship into Scotland.
This commitment to sports sponsorship also includes significant football partnerships. The company holds the position of Official Car Dealer of the English Football League and sponsors the EFL Trophy, now known as the Vertu Trophy. Club-level partnerships with Birmingham City FC, Burnley FC, Sunderland FC, and Plymouth Argyle help the brand maintain visibility across diverse communities.
In motorsport, the business has sponsored the EXCELR8 BTCC team since 2021 and became the title sponsor of the MINI CHALLENGE in 2023. These partnerships align the brand with performance, competition, and automotive enthusiasm.
Ancillary Businesses: Expanding Beyond Traditional Dealerships
The company has diversified its operations through several ancillary businesses that complement the core dealership model:
- Vansdirect operates as a commercial vehicle retailer and lease broker, serving businesses requiring van fleets
- What Car? Leasing provides a contract hire platform for customers seeking flexible vehicle solutions
- The Taxi Centre specializes in supplying vehicles to the taxi and private hire industry
- Ace Parts operates as an online vehicle parts business, making genuine components accessible
- Powerbulbs supplies automotive lighting solutions
- Wiperblades.co.uk offers specialized wiper blade products
These businesses create additional revenue streams while providing customers with comprehensive automotive solutions beyond the showroom floor.
Strategic Direction: Looking Toward the Future
The organization continues to invest in electric vehicle infrastructure, with 21 EVA-approved dealerships capable of supporting customers transitioning to electric mobility. Technology investment and digital customer experience improvements remain priorities as consumer behavior evolves.
The consolidation strategy through acquisitions has proven successful, with notable purchases including Farnell Land Rover in 2013, Hughes Group in 2018, Helston Garages in 2022, and Rowes Garage Ltd in 2023. This approach has allowed the portfolio to expand to over 200 individual sites while maintaining quality standards.
Operational efficiency improvements continue as the business adapts to changing market conditions, balancing growth ambitions with profitability targets in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Recognition and Industry Standing
The company’s efforts have not gone unnoticed within the industry. Being named Autotrader’s Car Retailer of the Year 2025 represents significant recognition from one of the UK’s leading automotive marketplaces. This accolade reflects excellence across customer service, digital innovation, and overall operational performance.
Conclusion
From its establishment in 2006 to its current position as the UK’s fourth-largest automotive retailer, the company has built an impressive presence across England and Scotland. With over 190 franchised dealerships operating under a unified brand, customers can expect consistent quality whether purchasing a new vehicle, booking a service, or exploring leasing options.
The extensive manufacturer portfolio, commitment to customer service, and strategic investments in technology and electric vehicle infrastructure position the business well for future challenges. Whether you’re searching for a dealership nearby, exploring career opportunities, or simply wanting to understand more about this significant player in UK automotive retail, the company’s comprehensive approach to vehicle sales and service continues to serve millions of customers across the nation.
For more information, visit Digi Magazine.
