Crowthorne: DriveTech sold to the AA group

The AA has purchased Crowthorne-based driver training specialist DriveTech (UK) plc. The firm will become a separate arm of the AA Group with immediate effect following the acquisition for an undisclosed sum.

DriveTech managing director Jim Kirkwood will remain in his current role, reporting into AA Services chief executive Andrew Strong. DriveTech founder and chairman Chris Howell steps down from the board, but has been retained as a consultant and will continue to play a part in future strategy of the business.

DriveTech said the acquisition would allow the company to continue to develop its growth plans backed by the AA’s brand and resources, and that it was “business as usual” for customer.

Pitmans, a leading commercial law firm in the Thames Valley, has acted on behalf of the owners of DriveTech in the sale of its business and assets to the AA for an undisclosed consideration. The acquisition was led by Pitmans corporate partner Philip Weaver.

DriveTech was established in 1990 and is one of the largest fleet risk management & driver education companies in the UK. The Company has received many accolades over the years, including winning the Pitmans-sponsored Business of the Year award at the 2008 Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards, and Chris Howell also became the Institute of Directors South East Director of the Year. In 2009 the Company was ranked in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100.

Commenting on the transaction, Howell said: “I had underestimated the complexity of various aspects of the deal and the full extent of the timescale involved. However having worked with Pitmans in the past helped greatly as did the fact that Pitmans had all the resources needed to carry out the transaction successfully.”

Philip Weaver commented: “It was very satisfying to conclude the sale of DriveTech in these current difficult market conditions. Chris Howell deserved a successful outcome following his immense hard work over the years.”