Brayleys Appoints Jose Blanco as New CEO to Lead Next Phase of Growth

Jose takes over the reins of the business from Paul Brayley, who will transition to a Non-Executive Director role on the main board.  Having founded and successfully led the company since its inception in 2003, Paul's new role will see him serve as an ambassador for the group, offering strategic guidance on the UK automotive sector to both the board and executive teams.

Jose joins Brayleys from Europcar Mobility Group, where he served as Group Chief Sales Officer and was a member of the Group Executive Committee. During these past years at Europcar Mobility group, he has assumed commercials responsibilities in Spain and in the UK, MD of the Low Cost Business Unit and during the past five years as a member of the Group Executive Committee assuming the responsibility over the main revenue streams, including all corporate countries and franchise network. 

In his new role as CEO, Jose will focus on building upon Brayleys’ solid foundation and driving further growth. With the company already representing nine leading automotive brands across 30 dealerships, spanning from North of Manchester to the South of London, he is committed to expanding the business and delivering on Brayleys’ ambition to become one of the top UK dealer groups. Key to this vision is a strong focus on strategic acquisitions and digital transformation to meet the evolving needs of customers in a rapidly changing automotive landscape.

"I am thrilled to take over the legacy that Paul has built and lead such a dynamic and well-established company into its next phase of growth," said Jose Blanco. "Paul and the team have done an incredible job growing the business, and I’m excited to build on this success. Our goal is clear: to strengthen Brayleys’ position in the UK automotive market through smart acquisitions, digital innovation, and continued customer-focused excellence."

Paul Brayley, founder and outgoing CEO, added, "I am delighted to welcome Jose to the Brayleys team. His wealth of experience in the international automotive industry, combined with his strategic insight, makes him the ideal leader for the next chapter of our journey. I am confident that under Jose’s leadership, Brayleys will continue to thrive and evolve as we work towards its next phase."

Brayleys has seen tremendous success over the years, with continued expansion, a reputation for delivering exceptional customer service and being voted a great place to work once more by its employees.