Terry Sinnott, Managing Director of Unique Van Bodies (UVB), the company he founded with removals industry entrepreneur Robert Bartup in 2007, has announced his retirement.

Terry, a popular industry character, has been in the commercial vehicle building industry all his working life, starting as an apprentice at the age of fifteen at Marsden Coach Builders - later Marsden Vanplan - where he remained until 2006.

“Things were very different back in the 60s when I started my apprenticeship,” said Terry.  “All the bodies were made of plywood and aluminium in those days, there was no GRP or fibreglass and everyone used Bedford trucks, they were the industry standard at that time. It was only when Bedford went out of business that Scanias, Mercs and DAFs came along.”

Terry will be succeeded by Rob Hampson who joined the company at the end of 2017.  Although he is retiring Terry has no intention of becoming a couch potato.  “I’ve seen what can happen to people who retire and I certainly won’t be putting my feet up and watching The Jeremy Kyle Show every morning,” said Terry.  “I’ve even started a spreadsheet with a to do list, wash the car, cut the grass, oh, and go fishing.  That’s something I’ve not been able to do very much of while I’ve been working.”

For the next few months Terry will be on call to help Rob with any problems during his settling in period and is keen to stay in touch with the friends he has made over the years in the removals industry.

“Keith Merrett has invited me to visit The Movers and Storers Show next November in Manchester, so I’m looking forward to meeting up with everyone there, and looking at all the new trucks of course,” said Terry.

Happy retirement Terry!



Photo:  Terry Sinnott with one of the famous UVB model trucks