UK motor retail executives have shared their tributes following the sad deaths of two automotive sector experts this month.
Brian Hawkins, who had an extended profession in senior UK roles in dealer network development with Fiat, Chevrolet, Caterham, MG Motor and most recently, with Suzuki GB until retirement in 2020, has died.
The funeral of Hawkins (pictured above while at Chevrolet UK in 2012), a fellow of the Institute of the Motor Industry, shall be held on October 4 at St Peter ‘s & St Paul’s Church in Stokenchurch.
Amongst many tributes, Steve Prew, Suzuki’s network development manager, posted on LinkedIn: “Hugely sad to advise that Brian Hawkins FIMI has passed away.
“Rest in peace Brian, you shall be much missed by many.”
Tony Denton, managing director of Batchelors Motor Group, shared his condolences, adding: “Brian and his encyclopaedic knowledge of UK franchising shall be missed. RIP mate.”
And the sudden death of Dan Kirby (pictured below), founding father of Trade Price Cars in Wickford, Essex and co-founder of brokerage Octane Finance, only a month before his thirty eighth birthday has stunned many industry colleagues.
David Bilsborough, a fellow independent used automotive dealer and a co-founder of the Independent Motor Dealers Association (IMDA), commented: “Dan was admired, respected and loved by all. His passing is gut wrenching. Nothing can’t be shared if we learn anything from Dan it’s that we must check in with people. I shed a tear upon hearing this sad news.”
Trade Price Cars, which was applauded by Auto Trader for its high customer rankings only two months ago, brought in voluntary liquidators Paul Atkinson and Glyn Mummery from FRP Advisory in mid-September, and documents at Firms House show it owed greater than £400,000 to HM Revenue & Customs.
Kirby, who also loved motorsport and ran the Trade Price Cars Racing team within the British Touring Automotive Championship in 2019 and 2020, leaves a wife and two daughters.
The BTCC said in an announcement that it was deeply saddened, adding: “A hugely popular figure within the paddock, Dan shall be sorely missed. The BTCC community sends condolences to Dan’s wife Beth, his two daughters, wider family, friends and colleagues.”
This Article First Appeared At www.am-online.com
