Business First December 2017 December BF Digital | Page 15

changing the mindset of motorists and making the jump to electric much more practical and convenient.” Moving into its flagship Moy Road site in Dungannon in 1993, the Donnelly Group headquarters remain just a few short miles from its original location. However, the name is one that is known the length and breadth of Northern Ireland thanks to a sustained period of expansion, particularly since the turn of the millennium, which resulted in additional Donnelly locations opening in Ballymena, Enniskillen and Newtownabbey and beyond. Raymond Donnelly commented: “A key part of the success of the Donnelly Group is our wide network of locations in all parts of Northern Ireland and it plays an important role in our desire to form part of the local community. “We want to be within easy reach of our customers – whether corporate or personal ­ across the country so we can respond to their needs quickly and effectively and keep them on the road. “Our eight locations across Northern Ireland, each of which have been strategically placed, help us to meet those needs and we constantly seek new opportunities to expand this network and ensure convenience for motorists.” A company engrained within the DNA of the local community That community ethos can also be seen in the close ties the Donnelly Group has made with local sporting and charity groups. The company has been a major sponsor of the Dungannon Swifts since 2012 and also Terence And Raymond Donnelly with new Managing Director, Dave Sheeran boasts sporting ambassadors such as Tommy Bowe and Carl Frampton. Terence said: “We engrain ourselves within the DNA of the local community. We are dedicated to supporting our local community, both financially and through the employment of more than 720 staff.” Preparing for the next 70 years Recent months have seen further developments across the Donnelly Group as it seeks to expand both new and used vehicle retail operations across all sites. The firm recently added a third Suzuki showroom to its portfolio after acquiring the Boucher Road site from the Agnew Group. 2018 will see the opening of a state of the art multi­million pound showroom development which will see Jaguar join Land Rover in Dungannon, making Donnelly Group the premium luxury franchise destination in Mid­Ulster. Building skills for the future remains a huge focus for the Group to ensure the ongoing professional development of staff at all levels and across all departments. The Group currently develops and delivers quality assured programmes in partnership with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), local colleges and other training providers. As the Group prepares for many more successful decades, it has also just welcomed a new Managing Director to the team. Dave Sheeran has joined from Opel Ireland where he was Managing Director, bringing with him almost 30 years’ experience in the industry. Dave said: “It is an honour to join Terence and Raymond, who will both remain at the core of the business, and the wider Donnelly Group as they celebrate this milestone year. “The Donnelly Group is a name that is synonymous, not just for car sales, but as the largest retailer of new and used 4x4s, pick­ ups and commercial vehicles to private and business customers and those in the public sector. “I look forward to leading the team as we embark on the next 70 years.” “It is an honour to join Terence, Raymond and the wider Donnelly Group as they celebrate this milestone year. The Donnelly Group is a name that is synonymous, not just for car sales, but as the largest retailer of new and used 4x4s, pick-ups and commercial vehicles to private and business customers and those in the public sector.” Dave Sheeran www.businessfirstonline.co.uk 13