Company Background

Saint Vincent Holdings – formerly known as the Peter Colby Commercials Group – was founded in 1974.  The group has expanded over the years to comprise a number of established and respected companies – each market-leaders in their field. Now a nationwide organisation, Saint Vincent Holdings maintains interests across a spectrum of industries, including property, logistics and manufacturing.

The group is a key employer in East Anglia and beyond, with a workforce of over two hundred involved in a total of seven different companies. While its roots remain haulage-based in the reputed brands of Norfolk Truck and Van Ltd and Collease Truck and Trailer Rentals Ltd, the group has since diversified. It now boasts an extensive property portfolio consisting of starter units, residential and retail properties, large distribution centres and several major development projects.

A number of other smaller businesses also operate within the Saint Vincent Holdings organisation. Lowestoft-based Polgain Ltd is a well-respected precision engineering company involved in the manufacture of specialist camshafts. Easy Store 24/7, a self-storage company, has grown rapidly from a fledgling enterprise into a national brand, with six sites spread across Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester.

Peter Colby, Founder & Chairman

Peter Colby founded Saint Vincent Holdings, as Peter Colby Commercials, in 1974.  Since then he has built the business into a national concern, expanding across the country and diversifying into a range of industries.  Through his years of business he has maintained a strong commitment to job creation and the invigoration of British industry.  He still leads from the front, establishing new areas of business and driving forward new plans, with a focus on commercial property.

In recent years he has dedicated much of his time to projects promoting Lowestoft, the town of his birth. His campaign to secure a third river crossing for the town – and his unique barrage scheme designed to alleviate congestion and bring business to the area – attracted a great deal of media attention and public support.

Our Staff

Our staff have always been central to our success.  Many of our longest-serving employees have been with the group since their apprenticeship or trainee days, and have gone on to work in numerous positions throughout the group.  This has often involved switching between companies more than once during their careers! 

Our staff benefit from the highest levels of training available, and we continually encourage staff at every tier of the business to progress through courses and training days, and attend vital conventions and networking events across the U.K. and abroad.  We are continually pleased to see our workshop apprentices reach new levels of expertise and attain new and prestigious qualifications both within the Renault Trucks excellence framework and with regard to general commercial vehicle maintenance.  As a result our workshop is one of the very best in the country, and both Norfolk Truck & Van and Collease benefit from the high levels of knowledge and experience found there.

To be a Saint Vincent Holdings employee is to work at the heart of a progressive, dynamic organisation as part of a valued workforce.  It is a pathway to on-the-job learning, career progress and life experience.  Check our careers page for any open opportunities.