Club Statement

The Club regrets to announce the departure of Phillip Hine from his role as Chairman of the Bentley Drivers Club.

Phillip (pictured), who succeeded Richard Parkinson as Club Chairman at the AGM in 2022, informed the Club President of his intention to resign at the end of last week. He has stepped down from the post with immediate effect. With the current challenges the Club faces, Phillip has concluded that he cannot achieve the goals that he set himself and the Club.  

Fellow Directors Ian Harris and Pauline Brown have also decided to leave the Board, Ian with immediate effect, while Pauline will continue in post for a short period.

This currently leaves Club President Duncan Wiltshire, Competitions Captain Ben Eastick, David Spencer and US-based Phil Brooks as Board Directors, although fresh faces will be appointed in due course.

The Board will also be appointing an acting Club Chairman to lead the Club through to the next AGM on 21 April next year.

The Club is extremely sorry to lose the valuable contributions made by Phillip, Ian and Pauline. In his time as Chairman, Phillip has led the Club with tireless commitment and enthusiasm: never ceasing in his drive to push the Club forward, overseeing the Concours at both Cubberley House and Kelmarsh, enhancing the Members’ experience at our Silverstone race meeting, and introducing the Chairman’s Run, to name just a few – all in the face of dramatically rising costs.

Club President Duncan Wiltshire is keen to assure Members that there will be minimal disruption to Club life. 

“This is proving to be a challenging time for many car clubs, but I believe the Bentley Drivers Club remains in good health,” he said. “Once the Board is back up to full strength, we will all be able to move forwards in top gear once again.”