Click the thumbs up >The Chorley Group has joined the Vauxhall and Mitsubishi franchises with the acquisition of Lancashire-based 06 Ormskirk Ltd.
The deal, completed for an undisclosed sum, sees the Vauxhall dealership on County Road, Ormskirk, renamed as Chorley Group Vauxhall (Ormskirk) and the Mitsubishi franchise on Birch Green, Skelmersdale, trade as Chorley Group Mitsubishi (Skelmersdale).
It also sees the addition of 06 Ormskirk Ltd managing director, John Dickson, as a Chorley Group general manager.
Chorley Group managing director, Adam Turner, described the acquisition as the latest move in the businessâs mid-term strategic plans across the north-west, adding: âWe canât wait to start working with the team, including one of the current directors John Dickson.â
Click the thumbs up >Automotive charity Ben is launching access to its digital mental health and wellbeing platform, offering immediate support to those in need.
SilverCloud is a digital mental health and wellbeing platform that can help support people to better manage their mental health and wellbeing, the charity said.
The SilverCloud programmes use a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach which focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
The charity said SilverCloud can also help individuals to develop positive coping strategies.
Rachel Clift, health and wellbeing director at Ben, said: “This continues to be a very challenging and uncertain time for us all, especially for those who work in our industry.
Click the thumbs up >Inchcape UK chief executive James Brearley described the support delivered by automotive sector charity Ben as âphenomenalâ as the AM100 car retail group made a £10,000 donation to the cause.
Yesterday (January 12) Ben revealed that it was adopting TrustFordâs Breakout for Ben fund-raising challenge and taking the event industry-wide in a bid to plug a £1 million funding shortfall this year.
The charity is searching for answers to a funding crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted the cancellation of its annual Ben Ball event alongside a 50% increase in calls for help from automotive sector workers.
Last year, Ben reported a 113% increase in the amount of people visiting mental health pages on its website and a 52% increase in demand for the charity’s services, all whilst battling the shortfall.
Sytner said it had supported Ben for nearly 27 years, championing the charity and its work to a 9,000-strong workforce and since establishing the relationship, Sytner colleagues, dealerships and divisions have contributed to the not-for-profit charity, but say the recent donation is the largest single contribution to date.
Melvin Rogers, director of human resources at Sytner Group, said: “The health and wellbeing of our colleagues is of the upmost importance and we’re pleased that our donation will allow Ben to continue the fantastic support that they offer to everyone within Sytner and the wider automotive industry.
Marshall Motor Holdings, meanwhile, pledged a £10,000 donation to Ben as part of a Xmas Do-nation charity campaign launched by MotorVise to plug the charity s funding shortfall.
MotorVise announced it would be handing over the £1,000 it intended to spend on its Christmas do .
Ben reports it’s seen a 50% increase in demand against the backdrop of a £1m income shortfall and the newly-donated funds will allow it to continue providing support after fears that difficult decisions might have to be made about certain services.
Commenting on the latest pledge of support, from the RAC Network and Assurant, Matt Wigginton, fundraising director at Ben, said: “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for our services is growing at a time when our income has fallen.