Introduction
Sir John Arnold Clark (born 27 November 1927) is a Scottish billionaire businessman. He is the chairman and chief executive of Arnold Clark Group, a nationwide chain of motor dealerships, which has been awarded Automotive Management's 'Retailer of the Year' award in 2013, 2014 and 2016. In April 2015, the company celebrated its 60th year in business.
Biography
John Arnold Clark was born in Glasgow. He joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) aged 17, and rising through the ranks as he was educated, Clark later became a Corporal and a Motor Mechanics Instructor.
After leaving the RAF in the early 1950s, Clark got a job in car rental and saved up his money until he was able to purchase a Morris Ten-Four for £70.00, and after restoring it, sold it for a profit. Clark started buying and selling cars, opening his first showroom in 1954 in Glasgow's Park Road. After gaining his first retail franchise for Morris Motors in 1959, expansion continued with the purchase of existing sites and rivals in and around the Glasgow area.
In December 2003, Clark was knighted, for services to the motor industry, and for his community work in Scotland.
Arnold Clark Automobiles
Arnold Clark Automobiles is now Europe’s largest independently owned, family-run car dealership, with over 200 new and used car branches throughout the UK. The company sells over 250,000 cars per year, employs around 10,000 people, and had an annual turnover of £3.35 billion in 2015. The Group currently has franchises for 24 motor manufacturers, some trading under the Harry Fairbairn subsidiary. The most recent acquisition was British automotive brand MG, in 2016.
GTG Training was purchased by the Arnold Clark Group in December 2003, and the Glasgow branch was officially opened in the regenerated Clydeside area of Glasgow in September 2007. The 61,000 sq ft (5,700 m2) centre is split into two dedicated sections; the fully operational transport division caters for every aspect in automotive training whilst the IT and business skills division provides a range of business skill training courses and a conference area. There are three GTG training centres, one in Edinburgh and a £10 m facility in Wolverhampton, which opened in 2013 and has a 250-seat conference room.
Arnold Clark was an official provider of vehicles, vehicle training, fleet storage and valet services for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
In 2016, Arnold Clark became the first company to win a Cash for Kids platinum award for their donations to the charity, which helps vulnerable children in the West of Scotland.
The company now also sponsors the Kiltwalk, and provides support for several charities, events and sportspeople, including Davis Cup coach Leon Smith.
In March 2016, a new 15,823 sq ft flagship head office was opened at Hillington near Glasgow, which also houses the UK’s largest Renault/Dacia showroom.
Hillington head office also houses Arnold Clark’s Marketing department, which was awarded 'In-House Marketing Team of the Year' at The Drum Awards 2016.