A New Chapter for BTE Automotive

As of 1st April 2026, Barry and Jess Parker have assumed full ownership and directorship of BTE Automotive Ltd. For those who know the business well, this transition has been years in the making. For those who are newer to BTE, we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves, share where we've come from, and give you a sense of what we're building towards.

The Beginning. It's 1989.

BTE's story starts with a handshake and a belief. In 1989, Dave and Jan Parker acquired the business then known as Bordon Tyre & Exhaust, with the financial support and personal backing of Roy Parker, Dave's father, and the man whose quiet confidence in the family made the whole thing possible.

Roy never sought recognition for what he did. But without him, there would be no BTE. We lost Roy unexpectedly in December 2011, and not a day goes by in this business without his influence being felt. His legacy lives on in the way we approach every customer, every problem, and every opportunity to do better.

Jan joined the business shortly after the acquisition. Her focus on customer care, the belief that every customer deserves a solution, not an excuse, became the culture of BTE. That value is as present today as it ever was.

Dave brought engineering passion, motorsport heritage and a standard of craftsmanship that set the tone for how work is done here. From his track-ready Sierra RS Cosworth to his self-built GTD R42 (one of the last ever built) with genuine competition history, Dave's relationship with cars was never just professional. It was personal. That passion is woven into the fabric of this place.

Rising From the Ashes

If resilience could be measured in moments, BTE would have more than most.

In 2003, two arson attacks devastated the business across both workshop units. The premises were destroyed. The business ceased operating for fifteen months. Despite DNA evidence recovered at the scene, the case remains unsolved to this day.

Dave and Jan rebuilt. They retained and fully paid every member of staff during this time. They funded three months of full pay from their own personal savings while the rebuilding continued. And when they reopened, they were stronger, more determined, and more committed than before.

That response to crisis, to adversity, to the unthinkable, defines the character of this business.

Over the decades BTE would navigate four economic recessions, a global pandemic, and the full complexity of running a family business through changing times. Every time, the business found a way through.

A New Name. A New Direction.

In 2015, Bordon Tyre & Exhaust became BTE Automotive.

The initials stayed. The limitations didn't.

What had started as a tyre and exhaust specialist had grown into a full-service automotive operation, advanced diagnostics, servicing, MOTs, complex repairs, and a depth of technical expertise that the original name could no longer contain. The rebrand wasn't cosmetic. It was a statement of intent. A business that had always delivered more than expected finally had a name that reflected it.

The same year saw the expansion into Unit 44, increasing capacity to meet the demands of a growing customer base. The BTE logo, designed to visually represent three generations of the family as "3B" — gave the business an identity as modern as its ambitions.

A Chapter That Nearly Ended Everything

Later that same year, BTE faced its most serious threat.

Internal fraud brought the business to the edge of collapse. Barry left the company following false accusations (a devastating personal blow after more than a decade of commitment to the business his family had built). What followed was fifteen months of uncertainty, financial difficulty, and personal hardship.

Barry returned in December 2016. What he found was a business in serious difficulty. Jan and Dave were given sabbatical leave whilst he rebuilt from that point, working with Action Fraud over three years, supporting a criminal investigation that resulted in a successful conviction, and pursuing and winning civil cases against associated parties. It is further resilience that builds the foundation every member of the BTE team stands on today.

It was rebuilt at considerable personal and emotional cost, but it was rebuilt properly and with consideration.

The Transition

Over the past five years, Dave and Jan have gradually stepped back from day-to-day operations. Jan reduced her time progressively before stepping back fully two years ago. Dave followed, taking a full step back in November 2025.

Their exit has been managed carefully, collaboratively, and with the respect that 35+ years of dedication deserves. The relationships they built with customers, suppliers and the local community are part of what makes BTE the business it is. That doesn't change.

What Comes Next

Barry and Jess Parker now lead BTE Automotive with a clear vision, deep technical, operational and industry specific knowledge, and a genuine excitement about what this business can become.

We are investing in new garage management software that gives us better operational data, stronger compliance, and a faster, more transparent service for customers. We are strengthening the financial foundations of the business. We are building a team and a culture that reflects the values this business was built on, honesty, capability, and always finding a solution.

The road ahead requires hard work and patience. We are under no illusions about that. But we have a plan, a great team, and 35+ years of community trust behind us.

Our long-term ambition is simple. To continue to build on our foundations, something exceptional, something we are very proud of every day.

To Dave and Jan, thank you. For the early foundation, the values, and the community you built around this business. Enjoy your retirement, you have earned it!

To our team (old and new), thank you for your loyalty and professionalism through a period of significant change. We are closing the workshop on Friday 10th July and hosting the whole team at the Goodwood Festival of Speed as a huge thank you.

To our customers, thank you for your trust. We look forward to showing you what comes next.

Barry & Jess Parker

Directors, BTE Automotive Ltd

April 2026