Vantage Motor Group, the privately-owned AM100 dealer group that has 9 Toyota dealerships and 2 Lexus showrooms in Yorkshire and Lancashire, plus single Kia and Skoda dealerships, is set to start a new chapter in its history.

Its chaiman Phil White, who joined its board in 2006 and also chaired Lookers, is stepping down this month and handing over full control and ownership of the business to chief financial officer Tim Swindin and chief operations officer Andrew Mallory.

Mallory and Swindin said: “We would like to thank Phil for his huge contribution in making Vantage Motor Group the successful and respected business that it is today.

"We are excited about the future and can assure all colleagues, customers, manufacturer partners and suppliers that it will be business as usual at Vantage Motor Group for many years to come.”

White will be 75 years old this autumn, Companies House records show. A former chief executive of transport firm National Express Group, he will continue to act as an advisor to Vantage's board during 2024.

He said “Our people at Vantage are the heart of our business and are well known in their local communities for how they serve our customers. I would like to thank them for all their support, especially in the more challenging times of recent years.

"Tim and Andrew have the drive and energy to build on this support to take Vantage into the future and continue to develop the business. I’m so sad at leaving the group but it is the right thing to do as I approach my retirement.”

In 2019 White, Swindin and Mallory undertook a management buyout at Vantage, with its then chief executive Mark Robinson leaving the business.

In mid 2022 Vantage soldof its only Citroen dealership to Chorley Group, leaving the £224 million turnover group focused on its key manufacturer relationships.