Tributes have been paid to a Stoke-on-Trent business leader who lobbied for fairer insurance industry rates and contributed to national steering groups.
Mick Whitehead, founder of the M&M Group and a leading figure in the UK motor repair industry, died on March 23 at the age of 68.
Stoke-on-Trent-born Mick, who went to school in Bentilee, was known locally and nationally for his entrepreneurial spirit and contribution to the vehicle repair trade.
He began his career as an apprentice in the vehicle maintenance department at Wedgwood and went on to launch M&M Vehicle Repairs in the mid-1980s, building one of the region’s most successful independent businesses.
Originally operating from Edensor Road in Longton, the business relocated to larger premises in nearby Wood Street before moving to its long-term headquarters on Portland Road. Under Mick’s leadership, the business expanded to include a dedicated centre in Leek in the 1990s and went on to become part of the global Fix Auto network of repairers in the 2000s.
Known for his commitment to industry standards, Mick was not only a successful businessman but also an advocate for the sector. He helped to shape policy in the sector, lobbying Parliament for fairer insurance industry rates and contributing to national steering groups working to improve standards in vehicle repairs.
Locally, he worked with many Stoke-on-Trent-based partners, from advertising with Signal Radio to collaborating with regional dealerships, and served on the board of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce for several years until 2017, when he sustained serious injuries in a motor racing accident. He did not fully recover from the incident but remained involved in the business, which has since been run by his family and board of directors.
Today, the M&M Group employs more than 100 staff across its three divisions: vehicle repairs, signs and graphics, and technologies. Mick was particularly closely connected to the vehicle repairs division, mentoring apprentices and supporting the next generation of skilled workers, many of whom are still with the company.
Angela Henry, M&M Group’s Customer Services Director, paid tribute to Mick, saying: “Mick Whitehead was not only a remarkable businessman but also a mentor, innovator, and friend to many.
“His legacy lives on through the thriving business he built and the countless lives he touched. He will be sorely missed.”
- Mick’s funeral will take place at 11am on Monday, April 28, at Methodist Central Hall in The Strand, Longton.
