Throughout his distinguished career, Jack Tordoff MBE has demonstrated a passion for hard work that has rubbed off on those around him at JCT600.

He started his automotive career in the family garage as an apprentice at 15, shortly after the death of his father. Initially, that meant fetching tea and newspapers for the mechanics and sweeping up, but before long there weren’t many jobs he couldn’t do.

Tordoff took a break from the business to complete his National Service, which might have led to a different life. He thrived in the Army and was encouraged to stay, but he honoured a promise to his mother that he would return to the garage.

However, the Army’s influence did give him the discipline and eye for detail to improve the business. With a £1,000 loan from his mother and after studying Glass’s Guide and motor auctions, Tordoff expanded into selling cars. It soon added a purpose-built car showroom across the road, above which Tordoff lived. This flat became the birthplace of the company’s current chief executive, John Tordoff.

New car franchises followed: first Standard-Triumph, then Saab and Porsche.

Tordoff also won acclaim as an amateur rally driver, culminating in a win at the Circuit of Ireland international rally. At around the same time, he bought a used Mercedes-Benz 600 with a registration plate bearing his initials – JCT 600 – and a business brand was born.

More franchises followed, including BMW, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lotus. With £1.2 billion turnover, 50 dealerships and 2,200 staff, JCT600 is Yorkshire’s largest private company and ranks in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies To Work For.

Tordoff has been ambitious and competitive, but has developed tremendous ideas about customer care and how the company can support its local communities. Friends and colleagues describe him as a great leader, with values that remain core to the business today.