Ford Motor Company has formally recognised Paul Hendy, CEO of Hendy Group, for his ‘leadership and commitment to community service’, making him one of just eight new ‘Honorees’ worldwide.
He was the only one from UK and Europe at its ‘Salute to Dealers’ event that was held on 3 February at the North American Dealer Association in Las Vegas, USA.
As well as highlighting Hendy’s charitable activities, Ford also confirmed it is making a $10,000 donation to Hendy Foundation, the charitable arm of Hendy Group.
Hendy Foundation plans to allocate the new funds during 2026 to a range of community-led charities and causes that are local to Hendy Group’s eight Ford dealerships across the south of England.
Ford Motor Company’s global Salute to Dealers programme was founded 26 years ago by Edsel B. Ford II and is currently championed by board director Henry Ford III.
Hendy Group has engaged proactively in local charity and community-led support activity since it was created over 165 years ago.
Paul Hendy led the creation of Hendy Foundation in November 2018 to amplify the Group’s own fundraising efforts, and the Foundation has since donated over £400,000 to more than 350 charitable causes, a total that is on track to exceed £500,000 by the end of this year.
Hendy Group has represented Ford Motor Company in Britain for more than 115 years, having become the country’s first Ford retailer back in 1910.
Today, the Hendy Group operates eight Ford dealerships across Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, and West Sussex.
Paul Hendy said: “I am truly humbled to have been honoured with the Ford Salute to Dealer Award; to be named as one of just eight global honourees worldwide is something I never imagined. I am incredibly grateful.
“This recognition feels especially meaningful as we recently celebrated 115 years of partnership with Ford. It also reflects a business that has believed in giving back since my great-great-grandfather, F.A. Hendy, made significant contributions to the community in the late 1800s.
