CAMDEN Motor Holdings has expanded its motor retailing operations with the acquisition of Essex-based Ford dealership business Charles H Allen. The addition of the three Ford outlets gives Camden Motors 13 dealerships, plus two preparation centres. The combined businesses will have a turnover of £425m, employ 750 staff and sell more than 25,000 new cars a year.

Camden is creating a new division to run the Ford business, and has appointed former Dial Contracts chief executive John Yardley as managing director. Yardley resigned from Dial for personal reasons in 1996 and has since been carrying out consultancy projects for various companies in the industry.