City Auction Group has appointed industry heavyweight Darren Betteridge as group strategy & business development director.

Darren Betteridge, group strategy & business development director at City Auction Group

Betteridge brings more than 40 years’ experience at BCA. Formerly GM at Blackbushe, he was remarketing 60,000 to 160,000 vehicles per annum and has a track record for growing volume and profitability through new business, innovation and business efficiencies.

He joined BCA in 1982 and was the youngest auctioneer at 17 and the youngest branch manager based at Nottingham. Betteridge opened the new centre in January 1994 at Victoria Park and was appointed general manager in 1995, before being appointed as regional operations director for the group.

Most recently, Betteridge has been working as a motor industry consultant, drawing on his career in the automotive industry.

In his new role at City Auction Group, Betteridge will be responsible for overseeing and developing relationships with corporate vendors, franchised dealerships, car supermarkets and LCV suppliers.

He commented: “I am excited to rejoin an industry that I have been involved with for 40 years and have missed for the past two years. Once you have the motor industry in your blood, it stays for life. I am delighted to be joining City Auction Group. Quite simply, it has a strong brand with a huge appetite to grow, when most of its competitors are downsizing. Its values are aligned with my own and the business model is based on first class customer service; best in class price performance; and trust. It has a back-to-basics approach to deliver consistently for its clients whilst growing and developing its key personnel.

“I intend to bring additional energy, innovation, new business and more buyers to the group; and share a wealth of knowledge to grow the team and attract the best talent in the industry.”

Michael Tomalin, CEO of City Auction Group, added: “With a wealth of experience in the motor industry, Darren is a very well-respected remarketing leader and will be a great asset to the business. I am looking forward to working closely with Darren to accelerate the group’s growth over the next 18 months, alongside our PurpleRock defleet and logistics business.”