Vertu Motors

Vertu Motors has formed a partnership with Sunderland AFC to become the ‘Official Car Retailer’ for the men’s team.

The deal, which covers the current 2021/2022 season, incorporates matchday activation, digital opportunities, and player appearances throughout the partnership, while there will also be a focus for the brand on ensuring PR and marketing activations across the season. Vertu Motors operates six dealerships in the Sunderland area, including BMW, MINI and Honda sites.

The North East headquartered company is committed to supporting sport at all levels, and has recently renewed its backing for the Professional Footballers’ Association’s (PFA) Fans’ Player of the Month awards.

This year, the brand also announced the acquisition of the naming rights to the Eagles Community Arena in Newcastle.

Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu Motors, said: “We are delighted to expand our football sponsorship portfolio with the addition of Sunderland AFC.

“Sunderland have huge support and demonstrate a real commitment to their community, which is fundamental to how we want to promote our partnerships, with a number of our car dealerships also located in proximity of our new club partner.

“We look forward to working closely with them to bring the Vertu Motors brand to their audiences and support their various football initiatives across the region.”

Sunderland AFC’s Chief Operating Officer, Steve Davison, added: “We are delighted to welcome Vertu Motors as an official partner of Sunderland AFC. Vertu is an established and respected national brand which is renowned for its commitment to quality service and customer care.

“Based in the North East, it has an ever-growing presence within the region and we look forward to working with them to establish a strong and lasting partnership.”

The addition of Sunderland AFC expands Vertu Motors’ partnerships in sport, which include deals with Middlesbrough FC, the Newcastle Eagles basketball team and naming rights for the Eagles’ Vertu Motors Arena in Gateshead, close to the Group’s headquarters.

North of the border, another of the wider Group’s brands, Macklin Motors, has partnerships with Hibernian FC, Heart of Midlothian FC and is a Community Partner of Celtic FC.

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF VERTU MOTORS

CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Notes to Editors

Vertu Motors plc is the fifth largest automotive retailer in the UK with a network of 154 sales outlets across the UK. Its dealerships operate predominantly under the Bristol Street Motors, Vertu Motors and Macklin Motors brand names.

Vertu Motors plc was established in November 2006 with the strategy to consolidate the UK motor retail sector. It is intended that the Group will continue to acquire motor retail operations to grow a scaled dealership group. The Group’s acquisition strategy is supplemented by a focused organic growth strategy to drive operational efficiencies through its national dealership network. The Group currently operates 150 franchised sales outlets and 4 non-franchised sales operations from locations across the UK.

Vertu’s Mission Statement is to “deliver an outstanding customer motoring experience through honesty and trust”.

Vertu Motors Group websites – www.investors.vertumotors.com / www.vertucareers.com

Vertu brand websites – www.vertumotors.com / www.bristolstreet.co.uk /www.macklinmotors.co.uk / https://www.vertumotorcycles.com / https://www.vansdirect.co.uk/ / https://www.thetaxicentre.com/ / https://www.powerbulbs.com/