SLM Group Celebrates 65 Years of Service, Community, and Care

SLM Group is celebrating 65 years since its founding in October 1960. Over the years, the family-run motor group has maintained a strong community presence and donated more than £65,000 to local charities. To thank its customers, SLM Group is honouring the anniversary with a special £6,500 prize draw.

• This autumn, St Leonards Motors (SLM Group) is proud to mark an incredible milestone — over six decades of service, growth, and community support. The family-run business, which began as a small garage in St Leonards-on-Sea, is celebrating its heritage while showing gratitude to its customers. 

  Founded by father and son team Graham and Brian Wakeford, SLM Group has expanded from its original garage into a network of dealerships and service centres across East Sussex, Kent, East Anglia, Surrey, Hampshire and Essex. 

  SLM Group now has over 350 employees working across 14 brands, including manufacturers such as Toyota, Renault, CUPRA, and Suzuki. The family still own the business today and keep it true to its founding values: quality, care, and community.

  As SLM Group celebrates 65 years, its proudest achievements aren’t just in motoring, but in the support it has given to causes that touch thousands of local lives. 

  From charity abseils to fundraising bike rides, the group has backed organisations such as The Sara Lee Trust, which supports people living with life-threatening conditions, and Nelson’s Journey, which helps children coping with bereavement. SLM Group also continues to sponsor local clubs and partner with community cricket teams across the country.

  Andrew Bullimore, Operations Director at SLM Group, said: “Reaching 65 years is about recognising the hard work of our teams, the loyalty of our customers, and the strong foundations that will carry us forward.” 

  The 65th anniversary isn’t just about the years – it’s about the people. SLM Group wants to say thank you to the communities who have welcomed, supported, and got to know them throughout the years. 

  As part of the celebrations, everyone who ordered a new Toyota from any SLM Toyota centre before 11th October 2025, the official anniversary, was entered into a £6,500 prize draw. This was a small gesture of thanks, because this milestone belongs as much to our communities as it does to SLM Group.

  We’re delighted to announce that the winners are Katharine and Dan Blacker, longstanding Toyota customers from Attleborough. Having previously driven a Yaris Cross, they’ve now upgraded to the Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid, and said what they’re most pleased about is being able to do 40 miles on just electric power!

  Congratulations to Katharine and Dan, and a big thank you to all the wonderful customers celebrating this milestone with SLM Group. Here’s to many more years of driving, growing, and giving back together.

   

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