Coach  ·  Exit  ·  Acquire  ·  Finance  ·  Develop

Unlocking the True Value
of Your Automotive Business

Whether you are looking to improve business performance, grow through acquisition, prepare for exit, secure finance or unlock the development potential in land you own, TAN brings together the right expertise to support your next move.

Our Services Book a Discovery Call

What We Do

Specialist Support
for Automotive Business Owners

TAN brings together experienced specialists across business coaching, exit planning, acquisitions, accountancy and HR, finance, and property — giving independent automotive business owners access to the right expertise for their specific situation. Not every engagement draws on the full network. The relevant specialists are selected around what each business actually needs.

Business Coaching

Practical, commercially focused support for automotive business owners who want to improve performance, profitability and the way their business operates.

  • Business health check and performance review
  • Profitability, costs, suppliers and overheads
  • Operational structure and KPI implementation
  • Leadership, accountability and ongoing business coaching

Exit Strategy & Business Preparation

Thinking of selling? We get your business genuinely sale-ready so you achieve the maximum possible price — not merely what the market dictates.

  • Operational process and structure overhaul
  • Financial presentation and clean-up
  • Valuation advisory and buyer-readiness audit
  • Making the business stand on its own two feet

Acquisitions & M&A

For operators looking to grow through acquiring additional sites — we identify, assess and structure deals across the automotive retail sector.

  • Target identification and deal sourcing
  • Due diligence and risk assessment
  • Negotiation and deal structuring
  • Post-acquisition integration support

Outsourced Accountancy & HR

Supporting automotive businesses with the specialist back-office functions that matter — without the need to build those capabilities entirely in-house.

  • Accountancy and financial reporting support
  • Management information and business visibility
  • People, HR and organisational support
  • Building stronger business infrastructure

Finance Solutions

From acquisition funding to working capital and business restructuring — we connect automotive businesses with the right funding at the right time.

  • Business acquisition and growth funding
  • Commercial mortgages and bridging finance
  • Refinancing and debt restructuring
  • Specialist automotive finance products

Property & Land Development

If your business sits on land you own the freehold to, there could be significant untapped value beneath your feet. We manage the process end-to-end — from initial assessment through planning, professional coordination, and project management through to sale.

  • Planning applications — residential, commercial, mixed-use
  • Houses, blocks of flats, and development schemes
  • Architect, surveyor and legal coordination
  • Full project management through to sale

How It Works

Your Journey With TAN

No two automotive businesses are the same. Neither is the support they need.

TAN starts with your business — your objectives, challenges and opportunities — then brings together the right expertise from across our network. There is no predetermined consultancy package and no unnecessary layers. You access the specialists your business actually needs, working together around one clear objective.

01

Discovery Call

We start by understanding your business, your objectives, the challenges you’re facing and where you want to get to.

02

Business Assessment

We identify the opportunities, risks and areas where the right specialist input can create the greatest value.

03

The Right Expertise

We bring together the relevant specialists from across the TAN network, selected around your business and your objectives.

04

Strategy & Execution

A clear plan is built around your business, with the right TAN specialists working together to help deliver it.

05

Measurable Outcome

Whether the objective is growth, profitability, acquisition, development, turnaround or preparing for exit, the focus remains on creating meaningful business value.

One business. One set of objectives. The right expertise around the table.

The People

Meet The Team

Behind The Automotive Network is a team with deep roots in automotive retail, property development, business coaching, and specialist finance. We do not merely advise — we have operated at the highest levels ourselves.

Leadership

Scott Souster

Scott Souster

Founder & CEO

Scott Souster is an entrepreneur and the founder of The Automotive Network. Recognising that independent automotive business owners were underserved when it came to joined-up, specialist support, Scott built TAN to provide exactly that — bringing the right expertise together around each individual business.

Scott's focus is on the network itself: identifying the right specialists, building the right relationships, and ensuring that TAN clients have access to genuinely experienced, commercially minded people when they need them. His approach is straightforward and practical — no unnecessary complexity, no one-size-fits-all packages.

Gavin White

Gavin White

Founder & Chairman

Gavin White is a highly experienced automotive business leader who has built and grown significant operations across the UK — scaling one business to over 50 staff and a contractor network of over 450.

With deep expertise in business development, operational management, and strategic growth, Gavin co-founded The Automotive Network to give independent operators access to the kind of specialist support that was previously the preserve of larger organisations.

Natalie Souster

Natalie Souster

Managing Director

Natalie Souster brings a commitment to operational excellence to The Automotive Network, overseeing the day-to-day function of the business with precision and care — including accountancy, bookkeeping, and P&L management.

Working directly alongside Scott, Natalie ensures every client engagement is handled professionally from first contact through to completion, providing the operational backbone that allows TAN's specialist partners to deliver at the highest level.

Business Performance Partners

Carl Williams

Carl Williams

Business Performance Partner

Carl Williams is the specialist leaders turn to when the numbers are right but the people aren't quite keeping up. A People and Culture expert with a BSc in Psychology & Politics, an MSc in Risk & Asset Management, and a Professional Doctorate in Coaching & Mentoring.

Carl co-founded BPH Group and works with TAN clients to build high-performing teams, align culture with commercial objectives, and create organisations where people and profitability grow in tandem.

Phil Brookes

Phil Brookes

Business Performance Partner

Phil Brookes brings extensive operational senior management experience in the tyre, fast-fit and vehicle servicing industry — helping businesses create profit, growth and long-term sustainability.

Phil spent 25 years at Micheldever Tyre Services in roles including Head of Retail Network, Head of Business Acquisitions, and B2B Customer Consultant, and 11 years at Pirelli Tyres as Trade Marketing Manager, Sales Training Manager, and Customer Development Manager.

Mike Smallbone

Mike Smallbone

Business Performance Partner

Mike Smallbone is an automotive aftermarket professional with over 47 years of industry experience and the founder of Aftermarket Business Solutions.

Mike specialises in operational insight, training and engagement across the independent automotive aftermarket, working with motor factors, garages and major component brands. His approach is centred around practical, non sales driven, peer to peer engagement, creating direct dialogue with workshop technicians and parts advisors to better understand real world garage needs. Mike also delivers tailored customer service training and practical business development workshops, while supporting education and youth outreach initiatives designed to encourage the next generation into automotive trade careers.

Chartered Accountant Partner

Anthony Brice FCCA

Anthony Brice FCCA

Chartered Accountant Partner

Anthony Brice FCCA is the co-founder of BPH Group and a chartered certified accountant with extensive experience helping SME owners understand their numbers, improve financial performance, and prepare their businesses for growth or exit.

Anthony brings rigour, clarity, and commercial insight to every engagement — translating complex financial data into clear, actionable strategy that business owners can actually use.

Finance Partner

Greg Davidson

Greg Davidson

Finance Partner

Greg Davidson is the founder of Davidson Business Finance, a specialist brokerage with deep expertise across commercial mortgages, property development funding, bridging finance through to commercial acquisition support.

Greg works with TAN clients to structure funding solutions that are often not available through traditional channels — connecting businesses with the right finance at the right time, whether they are buying, building, or borrowing to grow.

M&A Partner

Deva Naidu

Deva Naidu

M&A Partner

Deva Naidu brings over 30 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions, and business growth across Ireland, the UK, and Australia. As CEO of The + Group, he specialises in helping SME owners achieve financial wealth and operational scale through M&A, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.

Deva brings the deal-making experience that allows TAN clients to navigate complex transactions with confidence — from initial target identification through to post-acquisition integration and long-term value creation.

Commercial Insurance Partner

Dean Oldham

Dean Oldham

Commercial Insurance Risk Partner

Dean Oldham is an experienced insurance professional with extensive knowledge of commercial insurance and risk management.

Throughout his career, he has developed strong, long-standing client relationships by providing clear, practical advice and arranging tailored insurance solutions. His experience includes complex commercial & automotive sector risks. Dean is recognised for his personal approach, technical understanding and commitment to achieving the right outcomes for his clients.

Cyber Security Partner

Francis West

Francis West

Cyber Security Partner

Francis West is the founder of Security Everywhere, protecting UK businesses from cybercrime for the past seven years.

He has delivered 500+ live talks and hacking demonstrations, been Propertymark's trusted cyber speaker for six consecutive years, and served as National Lead for Cyber Security at the Federation of Small Businesses. His team runs a 24/7 Security Operations Centre backing enterprise-grade protection for SMEs — covering email, devices, passwords, and data recovery — built specifically for businesses without an in-house IT team. Francis is a regular media commentator on fraud and data breaches, featured in the Mirror, Express, and Birmingham Live. As a TAN partner, Francis helps garages protect the customer, payment, and finance data they handle every day — closing the exact gaps criminals exploit in businesses like this.

Land & Property Development Partner

Giles Witheat

Giles Witheat

Land & Property Development Partner

With over 30 years of experience working across all sectors in construction and property, Giles Witheat has been fortunate to work for a broad range of clients including funders, developers, and contractors.

More recently, Giles has been focusing on Land and Property Development, delivering schemes on behalf of funders and land owners, acting as both promoter and developer.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers to some of the questions business owners ask us most often.

Get in Touch

Is Your Business Ready
to Reach Its Full Potential?

Whether you are considering an exit, have land with development potential, are navigating a difficult period, or wish to grow through acquisition — the conversation starts here. No obligation. No pressure. Just clarity.

Book a Discovery Call
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