Home / About

About RAAD

RAAD is an independent commercial vehicle sales business serving the Isle of Man.

We supply new and pre-registered commercial vans to businesses on the Island, whether you need one van or fifty. Our network of UK suppliers gives us access to pre-registered and surplus new stock, which gives you a wider choice than a single dealer’s forecourt. We then arrange delivery and registration and quote clearly in writing.

Why RAAD? Raad is the Manx word for road. We’re an Island business, and getting vans onto Island roads is what we do.

Who’s behind RAAD

Ben Sharples, Director of RAAD Vans — **Ben Sharples**Director

The operations and numbers behind every deal

Ben was born and raised on the Isle of Man. He trained as an accountant at KPMG and Grant Thornton and worked in the insurance team at BDO in London before becoming the first employee of a London-based van subscription company in 2021, where he still works as Head of Operations.

He has been involved throughout its growth, including capital raises (£4.5 million in total to date), hundreds of vehicle purchases, and running fleets of both diesel and electric vehicles. At RAAD he looks after sourcing, suppliers, pricing and delivery, so the deal stacks up and the van arrives as quoted.

Richard Fox, Sales Director of RAAD Vans — **Richard Fox**Sales Director

Over 18 years in fleet, rental and vehicle sales

Richard spent 13 years at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, from the management trainee scheme through branch management, remarketing and new business development. In remarketing he helped sell between 50,000 and 60,000 cars a year back into the market through franchised and independent dealers.

He then spent five years at Paul Rigby Group, starting as Fleet Manager and going on to run both the fleet department and the group’s LEVC brand, where over 200 vehicles were sold in a year, before becoming General Sales Manager.

At RAAD he leads sales: talking each enquiry through with you, and making sure the van you are quoted is the right one for the job.

How we work

Why buy through us

Stock others can’t reach

Our supplier network gives us access to pre-registered vans and surplus new stock that suppliers need to move. That’s how we can offer a wider choice.

Transparent pricing

We add a margin to what we pay our suppliers, and we quote the full price, delivery and timing in writing before you commit.

The legwork, handled

We find the van, manage transport to the Island with an independent specialist shipper and handle registration. One point of contact, and a written quotation that sets out exactly what you’re getting, what it costs and when it arrives.

Looking for a van?

View vehicles Enquire now