The Vella Group, one of the UK’s largest and fastest-growing automotive repair groups, is pleased to announce that it has secured a strategic investment led by Ama Capital, alongside Keyhaven Capital Partners. 

The investment marks an important milestone for the business and provides long-term backing to support the Group’s next phase of growth. 

Founded nearly 40 years ago in Southport, Merseyside, the Vella Group has grown significantly in recent years, expanding from six sites in 2020 to eighteen locations today, with six new sites added in the last 18 months. Following a period focused on consolidating operations and strengthening the platform, the Group is now well positioned to resume its acquisitive strategy through 2026, as it looks to further expand its footprint across the UK. 

The business has built a strong reputation across the industry as a progressive and innovative operator, with open and transparent relationships at the heart of its partnerships with clients and supply-chain partners. Over the past five years, the Group has received a number of industry awards for sustainability, apprenticeships and bodyshop excellence, reflecting its belief in doing things the right way and investing for the long term. 

The investment will enable the Group to continue investing in its people, sites, systems and operational capability, supporting continued growth in a highly competitive market while staying true to the culture, values and collaborative approach that define the Vella Group’s brand. 

Day-to-day operations will remain unchanged, with the existing team continuing to run the business and deliver its strategy. To further strengthen governance and leadership capability, the Group is also pleased to announce the appointment of Alistair Hardie as Chair and James Hill as Chief Financial Officer. 

Karl Vella MBE, Founder of the Vella Group, will retain a shareholding in the business and continue to support the Group in a consultancy role. He said: 

“This year marks 40 years since I first set up the business in Southport, so this really does feel like a special moment. From the outset, it was important to me that we didn’t simply sell out, but instead partnered with investors who genuinely understand what we’ve built and share our values. 

I’ve got huge confidence in the team and the plans they have for the future, and I’m delighted to remain involved as the business moves into this next chapter.” 

Marc Holding, Managing Director of the Vella Group, added: 

We’ve delivered strong growth over recent years in a very competitive market. The Group has done this by ensuring we blend the people-first approach of our founder Karl, the industry know-how of some of the longstanding team members, and the professional, functional expertise of those that have joined over the last few years. 

We took our time to pick the right investor for us.  Both Karl and I were insistent we needed to get this right to ensure we continue to be the partner of choice across the sector. We’ve always set the bar high, but with Ama’s unique approach using Sector Leads and Functional Specialists, and understanding of our market, we knew they could bring genuine strategic and operational support from people who have ‘been there and done that’.  

We’ve built some solid foundations and have a very strong management team, and with James and Alistair, alongside Ama and Keyhaven, I’m confident that we will continue to grow in a way that is distinctly Vella, staying true to what differentiates us.” 

Ed Ransome, Founding Partner at Ama Capital, commented: 

“The Vella Group has built an impressive business with a strong reputation for quality repairs, operational discipline and a clear, values-led culture. We’re excited to support the team as they enter the next phase of growth and to work alongside management to help deliver their plans, while protecting what makes Vella distinctive.” 

Andrew Ware, Partner at Keyhaven Capital Partners, added: 

“We are excited at the prospect of helping to grow Vella and supporting Marc and his team in a sector that we have experience in.  This is going to be a different journey from our prior experiences of the sector as we are very aware of Vella’s differentiated approach and raison d’être coming at a time of further evolution of the sector.”   

The investment positions the Vella Group strongly for its next phase of growth, with further announcements expected as the business continues to execute its strategy through 2026.