Shropshire Star

Billionaire car dealer Sir Arnold Clark dies aged 89

He has been remembered by his family as “a beloved husband, father, grandfather and a great friend and employer to many”.

Published

Sir Arnold Clark, the billionaire motoring tycoon, has died at the age of 89.

The businessman, who founded his Arnold Clark car dealership in Glasgow in 1954, died on Monday surrounded by his family.

He was knighted in 2004 for services to the motor industry and last year became Britain’s first billionaire car dealer, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.

Announcing his death, his family said in a statement: “He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and a great friend and employer to many.

“He was an inspiration and the family will continue to carry on his vision. He will be greatly missed.”

Sir Arnold founded his company after leaving the RAF in 1954.

Sir Arnold Clark
(Andrew Milligan/PA)

He is said to have used his demob money to buy a Morris Ten Four for £70, before restoring it and selling it on for a profit.

He soon opened the first Arnold Clark showroom in Glasgow’s Park Road, going on to establish hire car schemes, repair centres, franchises and a car finance and insurance business over the next decades.

Sir Arnold opened his first site in England with a retail centre in Liverpool in 1994.

Adding to his knighthood, awarded by the Queen, and numerous business honours, Sir Arnold also collected an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow in 2005.

The entrepreneur has been remembered as a giant of the business world in tributes following his death.

The Arnold Clark Group described its founder as a “truly inspirational business leader and influential public figure”.

It said in a statement: “His unsurpassed work ethic and strong family values led him to build a market-leading automotive retailer that continues to go from strength to strength.

“Sir Arnold’s entrepreneurial ideals continue to be at the heart of the business. His personal philosophies will continue to inspire everybody who works in the business, and will be the cornerstone of its future growth and continuing success.”

Dr Bridget McConnell, chief executive of Glasgow Life, the cultural arm of the city council, praised Sir Arnold’s contribution to Glasgow.

She said: “Sir Arnold was a true friend of Glasgow and an enthusiastic contributor to our cultural life.

“For decades he and the company which bore his name supported what was the old Museum of Transport and latterly the Riverside Museum, where he served as a trustee on the fundraising appeal which raised almost £5 million for the iconic, Zaha Hadid-designed gallery on the banks of the Clyde.

“Sir Arnold also had huge affection for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and was a trustee on the refurbishment appeal which raised £12.9 million, as well as the hugely successful organ programme.

“His contribution cannot be understated and he will be very sorely missed by his family and all of his friends and colleagues across Glasgow and Scotland.”

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.