Graham Simpson, who spent his working life in Ford dealerships in the north of England, died, after an extended illness, on November 3 at the Avendale Care Home in Cheshire. 

He was 76 and leaves a wife Christine, born in Bingley, and sons Mark and Julian.  Mark Simpson is vice president of marketing sales and service for Ford Russia.

Graham Simpson was educated at the Grange Grammar School in Bradford and started his career with Ford in 1953 as an apprentice mechanic with Hamilton & Bramall (later to become CD Bramall) in Bradford, rising to become service manager.

He was appointed dealer principal at Hayes of Horsforth in 1969 and then in 1973 moved to CD Bramall in Shipley/Bingley also as dealer principal.

In 1986 he became dealer principal at CD Bramall Warrington and also took on an Iveco Ford commercial vehicle franchise.  At the time this was the third largest Ford dealer in UK by volume.

He participated in a management buyout to form BPW (Bradford, Paisley, Warrington) with Tim Worrall, formerly with Quicks.

After retiring, Simpson served as a governor at the Further Education college (Priestley) in Warrington for many years. 

He was also a member of the Motor Traders Association and served on many Ford dealership panels.

Mark Ovenden, chairman and managing director Ford of Britain, said: “Graham Simpson devoted his 45-year working life to developing and improving Ford dealerships, providing employment and training opportunities for hundreds of people. 

"Ford recognises the debt it owes to Graham for his dedication and our thoughts are with his family who continue to have a crucial involvement with Ford.”