A Norwich Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) dealership has been acquired by Duckworth Motor Group, in a deal supported by a multi-million pound funding package from NatWest.
The transaction secures the future of a profitable and well‑established dealership, protects skilled automotive jobs in the city and wider region, and ensures that Jaguar Land Rover customers across Norfolk retain access to authorised sales and servicing.
The funding from NatWest has enabled Duckworth Motor Group to complete the acquisition and put in place a structured investment plan for the site, its people and its customer offering.
Duckworth Motor Group is a long‑established, family‑owned operator within the Jaguar Land Rover network, with almost 50 years’ continuous trading, strong cash generation and a track record of award‑winning performance across sales and aftersales. With existing sites at Market Rasen and Boston, the Norwich dealership represents a natural geographic expansion into a contiguous territory with similar, affluent and largely rural customer demographics.
By bringing the Norwich business into the Group, Duckworth will increase its regional scale to a four‑site operation, strengthen its market presence and unlock practical efficiencies across the enlarged network. This includes economies of scale in purchasing, the ability to spread head office and central costs over a larger revenue base, and the opportunity to share best practice in customer service, digital retailing and aftersales.
Following the acquisition, the enlarged Group will benefit from increased scale and enhanced earnings, supported by a historically conservative approach to borrowing, strong asset backing – including freehold property – and disciplined financial management. This provides a robust platform for continued investment in facilities, systems and people.
The funding package from NatWest combines acquisition finance with working capital facilities, giving Duckworth the flexibility to integrate the Norwich site while maintaining its existing operations and planning for future growth. The transaction has been structured as a measured and low‑risk expansion of a proven operating model, with no disruption expected to day‑one operations.
Under Duckworth Motor Group’s ownership, the Norwich dealership will continue to trade under the Jaguar Land Rover brand, offering new and Approved Used vehicles as well as servicing, maintenance, MOTs and repairs. Over time, Duckworth plans to align the site fully with Jaguar Land Rover’s latest corporate identity and standards, including preparing for a growing range of hybrid and electric vehicles as new models – such as Range Rover Electric and Range Rover Sport Electric – come to market.
The Group will retain the existing, experienced local management team in Norwich and support them with active involvement from Duckworth’s senior leadership. A structured integration plan will see processes, reporting and systems aligned gradually, with Duckworth’s hands‑on management style and daily operating controls introduced in a way that maintains stability and service levels.
Ben Duckworth, Managing Director at Duckworth Motor Group, said: “Norwich is a natural next step for our business and a dealership we have admired for some time. We’ve been part of the Land Rover network for almost 50 years and are committed to the long‑term future of the Jaguar Land Rover brand in this region. Bringing Norwich into the Duckworth family allows us to safeguard the site, support its existing team and customers, and extend our service to drivers across Norfolk.
“NatWest’s support has enabled us to move quickly and with confidence, while maintaining the financial discipline that has underpinned our growth over many years. Our focus now is on a smooth transition, continued investment in the facility and making sure customers experience the same high standards they expect from both Duckworth and Jaguar Land Rover.”
Aaron Mellon, Relationship Director at NatWest, said: “Duckworth Motor Group is a highly experienced operator with a long track record of profitable trading, strong governance and disciplined financial management, so we see this as a strong and low‑risk lending opportunity. The acquisition of the Norwich Jaguar Land Rover dealership not only safeguards a key site and skilled jobs in the local area, it also preserves an important sales and servicing presence for JLR customers across Norfolk.
“At NatWest we are committed to backing ambitious regional businesses that invest for the long term and support the UK’s transition to more sustainable forms of transport. We’re pleased to be able to support Duckworth with the funding needed to complete this transaction and to help them continue growing their business in a measured and sustainable way.”
The acquisition also supports the resilience of the wider Duckworth Motor Group, which in addition to Jaguar Land Rover represents other brands including Omoda‑Jaecoo and Isuzu, and operates a successful used vehicle and service business. This diversified base, combined with the ability to flex costs and invest from operating cash flow, underpins the Group’s ability to withstand changing market conditions and continue to support customers across Lincolnshire, Norfolk and beyond.
