Northampton and Bedford-based Volvo dealer Bells Motor Group celebrates 50 years with the brand in September.

The company, which was launched in September 1967 by Dennis Bell, is now headed up by his grandson Clive Bell, managing director, with sisters Emma a fellow director and Katherine, a corporate sales director.

“Volvo was still a fledgling brand in the UK in the 1960s and I am proud to say that my family helped put these fantastic cars on the map. Our relationship with Volvo is as strong now as it was in the early days and we are delighted to continue to play our part in taking the brand from strength to strength,” said Clive Bell.

Bells is in the top ten of the Volvo dealer network in terms of customer satisfaction. The Bedford site was recognised as one of the ‘Best Car Dealers 2017’ in the recent Auto Express Driver Power & Statista Awards. The group was also recognised by the London Stock Exchange in 2016 as one of ‘the 1,000 companies to inspire Britain’.

Clive Bell added: “If the customer isn’t happy, then we’re not happy. We also really value our workforce. Our decisions affect their lives, so it’s important that we all share one goal, which is to have a successful company.”

Picture caption: (L-R) Katherine Bell, Clive Bell, Keith Bell, Ginny Bell and Emma Bell