Cowie Group Plc
Other Business Names:
- Cowie, T, Ltd
- Cowie, Sir Tom
- Arriva Plc
- Deutsche Bann
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, North East, England
- Sunderland, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, North East, England
Sectors:
-
Distribution - retailing
Bicycle & motorcycle retailing & repairing
-
Financial services
Credit, hire purchase, leasing, etc, services
-
Distribution - retailing
Motor vehicle & accessories retailing & repairing
-
Business services
Plant & vehicle hire & associated contracting services
-
Transport services
Road passenger transport services inc bus, street tram, coach & horse drawn
Notes:
Traces origins to T S K Cowie who in the early 1930s established a small business dealing in and repairing motorcycles. He established T Cowie Ltd in 1938. After war, under leadership of his son, (Sir) Tom Cowie, until 1993, started to open branches, most notably in Newcastle, including through acquisition of other businesses. Emerged as a leader of its sector and in 1960 started to retail motor vehicles through acquisition of retail and later main dealership as the postwar motorcycle boom collapsed. Converted to a public company 1964 and emerged as a leading car selling business. 1960s also established hire purchase finance business. 1972 established a vehicle hire business which became largest of its kind in UK. 1980 started to acquire bus operating companies and by 1990s one of the largest such businesses in UK with additional interests in Europe. 1994 renamed Cowie Group and in 1997 again renamed Arriva Plc and subsequently disposed of its motor retail and associated finance businesses. Diversified into train operating franchises. 2010 acquired by Deutsche Bann [2024]
Publications:
- Grey Green and Contemporaries. Book 2, 1961 to the Arriva Years by McLachlan, Tom
- Sir Tom Cowie, a True Entrepreneur. A biography by Robertson, Denise
- Tom Cowie Story. A history of T Cowie Plc by Martin, Phil
Groups:
Other Business Names:
- Cowie, T, Ltd
- Cowie, Sir Tom
- Arriva Plc
- Deutsche Bann
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, North East, England
- Sunderland, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, North East, England
Sectors:
- Distribution - retailing Bicycle & motorcycle retailing & repairing
- Financial services Credit, hire purchase, leasing, etc, services
- Distribution - retailing Motor vehicle & accessories retailing & repairing
- Business services Plant & vehicle hire & associated contracting services
- Transport services Road passenger transport services inc bus, street tram, coach & horse drawn
Notes:
Traces origins to T S K Cowie who in the early 1930s established a small business dealing in and repairing motorcycles. He established T Cowie Ltd in 1938. After war, under leadership of his son, (Sir) Tom Cowie, until 1993, started to open branches, most notably in Newcastle, including through acquisition of other businesses. Emerged as a leader of its sector and in 1960 started to retail motor vehicles through acquisition of retail and later main dealership as the postwar motorcycle boom collapsed. Converted to a public company 1964 and emerged as a leading car selling business. 1960s also established hire purchase finance business. 1972 established a vehicle hire business which became largest of its kind in UK. 1980 started to acquire bus operating companies and by 1990s one of the largest such businesses in UK with additional interests in Europe. 1994 renamed Cowie Group and in 1997 again renamed Arriva Plc and subsequently disposed of its motor retail and associated finance businesses. Diversified into train operating franchises. 2010 acquired by Deutsche Bann [2024]Publications:
- Grey Green and Contemporaries. Book 2, 1961 to the Arriva Years by McLachlan, Tom
- Sir Tom Cowie, a True Entrepreneur. A biography by Robertson, Denise
- Tom Cowie Story. A history of T Cowie Plc by Martin, Phil