Award-Winning Motability Specialist To Retire After 43 Years

Award-Winning Motability Specialist To Retire After 43 Years

13/03/2026 13:49

Award-Winning Motability Specialist To Retire After 43 Years

Gavin Gray, a Motability specialist at Vertu Vauxhall Newcastle is retiring after an extraordinary career spanning four decades, during which he became one of the UK's most decorated and respected experts in helping disabled motorists gain greater independence.

Gavin, who has spent 43 years serving customers across the North East, is stepping down. His retirement marks the end of a career widely regarded within the Motability community as exceptional, both for its longevity and its impact on thousands of disabled drivers and their families.

He is believed to be the most decorated expert around the Motability Scheme, which allows people in receipt of certain benefits to exchange them for a suitable vehicle.

Over the course of his career, Gavin has received 12 Motability awards recognising outstanding customer service and has been repeatedly celebrated by both Vertu and the Motability Scheme for his expertise, compassion and consistency.

Most notably, he had the honour of meeting the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2008 as part of Motability's 30thanniversary, and was also named Motability Specialist of the Year.

Gavin went on to receive the Outstanding Contribution to the Motability Scheme award in 2015. He was later invited to mark a number of milestones for the scheme, including attending a special event at Westminster Abbey to mark the three-millionth vehicle handover and the scheme's 40th anniversary at Windsor Castle in 2018

In retirement, Gavin plans to spend more time with his two young grandchildren and support his elderly parents.

A long-time ballroom enthusiast, he and his wife, Valerie, intend to make the most of their passion for dancing and the social life that comes with it. The couple have also recently bought a caravan, giving them the freedom to travel and enjoy more time together.

In recent years, Gavin has been mentoring colleagues Jamie Coulson and Victoria Roy, who will continue to support Motability customers moving forward.

Both have worked closely under Gavin's guidance and are ready look after his customers, many of whom have become friends.

Gavin Gray said: "I've had the privilege of helping people find independence, confidence and freedom, and that's something I'll never take for granted.

"The customers I've met over the years have been remarkable, and many have become friends. It's been a joy to do this job for so long, and I'm hugely grateful to everyone who's trusted me to look after them."

Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu, said: "Gavin's service is nothing short of remarkable. His knowledge of the Motability Scheme and his genuine care for customers have set a standard that's difficult to match.

"He has shaped the careers of others, built lasting relationships and represented Vertu with professionalism throughout. We wish him the happiest and most well?earned retirement."