Throughout his career Trevor has been recognised as a pioneer of innovation in the automtive industry, especially in the used car space. In his early career Trevor led the consolidation of the UK’s automotive retail sector and over the last twenty-five years has specialised in his favourite topic, used cars.
About Trevor Finn
EARLY CAREER
Trevor’s first job was as an apprentice mechanic in his home town of Hull. Over the next nine years he progressed from Service Manager to Dealer Principal to Divisional Managing Director of the vehicle division of Williams Holdings PLC.
THE GROWTH OF PENDRAGON
When Pendragon PLC was demerged from Williams and floated on the London Stock exchange he was appointed CEO. Pendragon PLC became the largest independent dealer group in Europe through acquisition and organic growth . It was a complex PLC made up of franchised dealerships, a used car retail brand, motorbike franchises, a fleet and leasing division, a parts operation and the second largest Dealer Management System software company in the UK. Trevor also oversaw the purchase and successful operation of Pendragons franchised dealer group in California and Germany. He stepped down from the role of CEO of Pendragon PLC in March 2019 to launch New World Automotive.
In 2018, Trevor’s last financial year at Pendragon, the company’s annual turnover was £4.6bn, underlying PBT of £47.8m and sold 256,000 vehicles (81,000 new retail vehicles and 175,000 used retail (B2C) vehicles). A breakdown of the organisation:
THE PINEWOOD STORY
Trevor acquired Pinewood to become part of Pendragon PLC in 1994 for £1.4million. With the help of the expert UK based team, they built Pinewood into the market leading DMS that it is today. Trevor remained a significant private shareholder in Pinewood until its sale to US private equity firm in October 2026 for $748.86 million.
NEW WORLD AUTOMOTIVE
Through New World Automotive, Trevor works in an advisory and non-executive capacity with OEMs, dealer groups and private equity firms, helping navigate the key trends shaping the automotive sector. His expertise spans agency sales models, electric vehicles, dealership ownership trends, emerging manufacturers, used vehicle market disruption and the evolving technology landscape. The traditional model of new vehicle sales, approved used programmes and aftersales has remained largely unchanged for decades, Trevor believes the time to modernise automotive retail is now.
I have spent my whole career in the automotive retail space, 29 years of which as CEO of Pendragon PLC. In that time have seen significant changes to the fortunes of automotive dealers and manufacturers. I stepped down from the role of CEO in March 2019 to launch New World Automotive.
"Disruption" and "Change" is not a new thing. Those terms have been used consistently throughout that period. However it is fair to say that car dealers and manufacturers now face the biggest challenges I have seen.
I am still fascinated, energised and enthusiastic about all aspects of the automotive industry. During my career I have met and worked with almost every top level executive from car manufacturers, retailers and financiers. I have gathered together knowledge, experience and contacts that can help facilitate some of the "disruption" and "change" in a productive and constructive way. This can be for the benefit of the existing, the new and the potential participants.
I have now got the time, energy and money to invest in an industry that is still full of opportunity. I have brought together a team with huge experience and capabilities in areas in which are dominated by a younger generation. That combination will be a winner for us and others in the industry.
