Sir John Arnold Clark (27 November 1927 – 10 April 2017) was a Scottish billionaire businessman. Clark opened a showroom in Glasgow in 1954 and found some success selling cars. He expanded his business and Arnold Clark Automobiles became a nationwide chain of motor dealerships and the largest privately owned business in Scotland. Clark kept his business family-owned for more than sixty years, remaining the chairman and chief executive. In 2016 he became the first billionaire car dealer in Britain.
Early life
John Arnold Clark was born in a tenement in Townhead, Glasgow on 27 November 1927. His father was a Clydeside shipworker. He left Dennistoun primary school aged 14 with no qualifications. He was conscripted to the Royal Air Force (RAF) towards the end of the Second World War aged 17, and worked as a Motor Mechanics Instructor. He reached the rank of corporal and would later remark that during this period his self-discipline developed as did leadership qualities.
Summary
| Sir Arnold Clark | |
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Sir Arnold Clark at his original Park Road branch in Glasgow
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| Born | John Arnold Clark 27 November 1927 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 10 April 2017 (aged 89) Glasgow, Scotland |
| Occupation | businessman |
| Organization | Arnold Clark Group |
| Net worth | £1.025 billion (April 2016) |
| Spouse(s) | ? Philomena |
| Children | 10 |
- Sir Arnold made his fortune with an eponymous chain of car dealerships.
- The company, which he founded in 1954, is now the fourth largest auto dealer in the UK.
- The dealerships sell more than 200,000 cars per year, generating turnover north of $3.5 billion.
- Clark passed away at his home on April 10, 2017 at age 89.
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