Harrison Clark Rickerbys in automotive driving seat for deals

By Nicky Godding

8 April 2022

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Worcester headquartered law firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys HCR’s automotive specialists have completed three automotive deals so far in Q1, supporting business expansion and development in the South West, Midlands and Wales.

In January, Tim Ward helped Gloucestershire-based motor group Baylis acquire Southern Vauxhall in Merthyr Tydfil. The deal takes Baylis to over 350 staff across nine dealerships in the three counties, as well as two standalone accident repair centres and a used car centre in Worcester.

Baylis director Dave Jones said: “We believe that the business in Merthyr will be a great fit with the existing Baylis group, bringing an experienced team who always excel with customer service. Having HCR on our side undoubtedly contributed to a successful deal because they bring automotive experience and real commercial understanding to the process.”

In February, Startin acquired Cresser Vauxhall in Redditch, where the group already represents Peugeot, Kia and Suzuki from its Far Moor Lane dealership. HCR’s Tom Bartley-Smith advised Startin.

“This was a strategic acquisition for Startin, adding another Stellantis brand to our portfolio and giving us further representation in Redditch. Naturally, HCR were involved right from the beginning,” said Tim Freeman, MD of Startin. “Their motor trade expertise proved invaluable both in structuring the deal and driving it through to completion.”

In March, HCR acted for Andrew Hockedy and Nigel White in the sale of Trust Group UK to Johnsons Cars. Trust Group UK operates Volkswagen and Skoda dealerships in Redditch, Stourbridge and Wolverhampton, alongside three Trade Parts Specialist franchises covering the whole of the West Midlands, so the acquisition not only expands Johnsons’ network but also provides a one stop shop for original equipment parts for all Volkswagen brands. HCR’s team was led by Alison Scott.

By Nicky Godding

Nicky Godding is editor of The Business Magazine. Before her journalism career, she worked mainly in public relations moving into writing when she was invited to launch Retail Watch, a publication covering retail and real estate across Europe.

After some years of constant travelling, she tucked away her passport and concentrated on business writing, co-founding a successful regional business magazine. She has interviewed some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs who have built multi-million-pound businesses and reported on many science and technology firsts.

She reports on the region’s thriving business economy from start-ups, family businesses and multi-million-pound corporations, to the professionals that support their growth and the institutions that educate the next generation of business leaders.