Celebrating the Life and Legacy of John Desira - 1948 to 2026

Announcement of the Passing of John Desira, Funeral Arrangements and Dealership Closure at 12.00pm on Friday 14th August in Honour of Founder and Chairman

It is with great sadness that Michelle, Susan, Stuart and the Desira Family announce the passing of our beloved Founder and Chairman, John Desira.

As a mark of respect, Desira Group Plc will close all of its dealerships and offices at 12.00pm on Friday 14th August to honour John's memory. His funeral will take place that afternoon at St John's Catholic Cathedral, Norwich, starting at 1.00pm. Family, friends, colleagues, customers and members of the public are warmly invited to attend and pay their respects.

Donations may be made to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity in memory of John.

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Born in Tunis to a proud Maltese family, John was the eldest of eight siblings. At the age of 12, he moved with his family to London, where he spent his formative years. After leaving school, he began an apprenticeship as a mechanic with Henlys Jaguar in London, where he qualified as a mechanic and developed the technical expertise, work ethic and passion for the motor industry that would shape the rest of his life.

In 1972, John and his wife, Susan, and brothers made the move from London to a small garage in South Lopham, Norfolk, where they founded Desira. Together they built the business guided by a simple philosophy of treating customers fairly, valuing colleagues and never compromising on quality or service. What began as a single garage grew into Desira Group Plc, one of East Anglia's leading family-owned motor groups.

From those humble beginnings, John dedicated more than five decades to growing Desira into the successful company it is today, always remaining true to the values on which it was founded. While the business expanded significantly over the years, it never lost the family culture that John and Family instilled from the very beginning.

John was immensely proud not only of the business he built, but also of his family. Together, John and Susan raised four children (Michelle, Juliette, Charlotte, Paul) and were blessed with four grandchildren, all of whom were at the heart of his life. Family was never separate from business; it was the very reason the business existed.

Today, Desira Group Plc remains proudly family owned, continuing John's vision of putting people first.whether colleagues, customers or the communities it serves.

John's leadership, integrity, kindness and determination earned the respect of generations of employees, manufacturers, business partners and thousands of loyal customers. His influence extends far beyond the motor industry, leaving a legacy of hard work, loyalty and genuine care for others that will continue to guide the company for generations to come.

He believed that treating people with honesty, respect and kindness was the foundation of a successful business. He took enormous pride in seeing the company grow and was incredibly grateful for the dedication, loyalty and hard work shown by every member of the Desira team over the years.

The business will continue to move forward under the leadership of Managing Director Stuart Stone, together with the Desira Family and the wider management team, who remain committed to preserving John's vision and ensuring that the company continues to thrive.

As we gather to celebrate John's life, we remember not only an outstanding businessman but also a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor and friend. His legacy lives on in every member of the Desira family, team and in every customer whose journey has been part of the company's story.

We appreciate the understanding of our customers during this time and apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure. Normal business hours will resume on Saturday 15th August 2026.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and everyone at Desira Group Plc, we thank all those who have sent messages of sympathy and support. They have brought great comfort to John's family and to everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.

John Desira's vision transformed a small Norfolk garage into a thriving family business. His values built a company. His character built a legacy. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.