Automotive training and consultancy Marks Fitzpatrick Gaule (MFG Group) has been taken over by its director Declan Gaule.

Taking the position of chief executive, Declan Gaule now has a 100% controlling interest in the Wiltshire business.

Gaule has purchased the shareholding of co-founder and long-term business partner Jerry Sutton as part of a planned succession.

Sutton will work with MFG as a consultant in the design and delivery of its training programmes.

Gaule (pictured) said: “Jerry and I go back many years to our days with BMW UK and his ever fresh and enjoyable approach to training and people development has helped MFG grow to be the company that it is today, in addition to assisting thousands of delegates realise their potential in the automotive industry. I could not have asked for a better business partner and friend and I look forward to his valuable input over the coming years – after a well-earned rest of course.

“Our best wishes and thanks go to Jerry and we look forward to exciting developments within the business going forward. Our rapid international expansion continues apace and the launch of consultancy and broader training aspects to our offering will see a further recruitment drive in 2018 that will bring the total MFG headcount close to 50 by the end of this year.”

Gaule said he will announce further management appointments shortly.

He and Sutton founded MFG Group in 2007 with the aim of providing automotive retailers and their customer-facing staff with telephone prospecting skills.

2018 will be the multi-national company’s 11th year in business. It's trained more than 25,000 dealer staff in that time.