Robert Van Helvoort

The Van Helvoorts are major shareholder in Regent Motors, the state’s biggest automotive dealership owner, which Andre Van Helvoort co-founded in 1962. His son Robert Van Helvoort continued in the business, as well as having a horse stud called Barrabeen which he reportedly sold in 2008. The family, through its Wirrimbirra Investment Group, also has a significant stake in related property holding company Ukemi Investments. Records show Tyson Sutton, who had previously been a dealer principal with AHG, became a director of Regent in 2007. Mr Sutton is now the other major owner. Regent’s various dealerships turn over an estimated $1 billion a year in car sales. In 2015, Regent acquired 70 per cent of Bob Peter’s BMW dealership Auto Classic.
Robert’s children Andre and Phillipa are directors of Wirrimbirra.