WHERE THE 'SB' STORY BEGAN
THE STORY OF SB WAKEFIELD
SB Wakefield was founded by Simon Bowett in 2004 and today remains a family owned and run business with Simon’s son, John Bowett heading the company, after joining the business in 2010.
In 2009 SB Wakefield went onto acquire the Citroen franchise to become SB Wakefield which remains on Ings Road, opposite Sainsburys and The Range, in the heart of Wakefield. Over the last 6 months SB Wakefield have continued to invest in the business and earlier this year they opened the doors to Fiat and Abarth, strengthening the company and further enhancing the offering to the local people of Wakefield.
BACKGROUND
Simon Bowett joined the metropolitan Police in 1963 as a Police Cadet and at 19 he started his probation on the beat in Bermondsey. After which he joined the CID, working south of the river and on the 24th April 1968 he was promoted to uniform Sergeant and posted to West End Central. He represented the Police at cricket and hockey over this period. During his time in the police he received a number of Commissioners and Commanders’ commendations.
In 1973 Simon left the Police to join his brother Robert in the Motor Trade at Ossett which at the time was a BMW dealer. In 1974 the Company was hit with the petrol crisis, when used cars dropped thousands of pounds, affecting the cash flow. A decision was taken to terminate BMW and return to used cars.
In December 1976 Robert Bowett Ltd, acquired the SAAB franchise. In 1979 The Company sold a record number of Saabs and were awarded The Dealer of The Year. Simon at the time was employed in the retail selling department.
In 1980 Bowett’s were invited to open a Saab dealership in Leeds. They duly purchased a site in Hunslet, Leeds and Simon was appointed MD of this site. In 1984 Ossett became Honda dealers and at a similar time Simon was appointed Group Managing Director.
Bowett’s opened a satellite Saab dealership in Halifax in 1990 and about this time Leeds completed its expansion in conjunction with Leeds City Council and opened a brand-new Saab dealership. Bowett’s also acquired the Suzuki franchise using the vacated Saab premises.
The workforce expanded to around 150 staff, who were rewarded with Saab Regional Dealer Awards as well as Suzuki ‘National Dealer Award’ on two occasions.
On 1st March 2004 Simon resigned from Bowett’s and started his own Company which is today know as SB Wakefield.
Over the years SB Wakefield have built a reputation for offering an outstanding customer experience in a no-pressure sales environment.
Says John Bowett “With over 40 years' automotive experience we know our cars and have hundreds of customers who return to us time and time again, safe in the knowledge that they will be looked after. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved and I would like to thank everyone, past and present who has put their hard work and dedication into making SB Wakefield what it is today, and I look forward to seeing what the future brings us.”
Simon who has been appointed Chairman of SB Wakefield, leaving his son John, Managing Director, to take the business forward along with his dedicated team of experts, including Luke Lowndes, After Sales Manager, supported by Paul Burgoyne, Parts Manager. Simon would like to wish John and his team the best of luck with the Stellantis brands.
If you need any assistance in choosing your next car or van or would like to book in for your next service, please call us on 01924 332525 or call in today. Alternatively, please email sales@sbwakefield.co.uk.
