top of page
Membership
Events
Family Business Insights
News

Subscribe to our newsletter

Family Business Top 100 Recognition For Paul Hendy


We are delighted to announce that Paul Hendy of the Hendy Group has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business.


Recognition in respect of:

  • Inspirational Leadership

  • Family Business Steward

  • Multi-Generational Family Business Leader

With a heritage spanning over 160 years, Hendy Group are proud to represent 21 automotive brands across the South Coast. From Ford to Land Rover, whichever brand best suits your taste, you’ll benefit from the same great customer service at all of their dealerships – along with a warm ‘Hendy welcome’!


The Hendy story began with Frederick Adolphus Hendy, who opened a bicycle shop in Whitchurch in 1859. At the turn of the century, the company made a tentative step towards selling motor vehicles, linking up with Benz and Bolle. In fact, they still have the 1898 two-cylinder Benz owned by Frederick Adolphus although it is not for sale!


Over the course of the following century, they enjoyed a number of milestones, including becoming Britain’s first Ford dealer in 1910 – a relationship that’s spanned over 100 years. During the Second World War, their Vincent’s Walk and Chandler’s Ford premises were used to build Spitfire planes, following damage to the original Ministry of Aircraft Production’s factory. Today, they’re proud to be one of the UK’s largest multi-franchise dealership networks, covering eight counties across the South Coast of England and over 1,600 colleagues.


As they continue to evolve as a group, they’re proud to remain a close-knit family-run business, with the fifth generation of the Hendy family, Paul Hendy at the helm, and the next generation are also part of the company. Although they’ve grown a lot since 1859, their core values of honesty, quality, care and customer service are still at the heart of the company.


"Paul is an inspirational leader and continues to uphold the family values which permeate throughout this business. He thoroughly deserves his place in the Family Business Top 100."