About DK
The Ferrari Specialists
Here at DK Engineering, we specialise in all aspects of Ferrari. Our active role in the ownership and competition participation with Ferrari motor cars gives us first-hand experience with the marque. Our workshop services range from turn-key restoration to competition and concours preparation via routine service work on contemporary models. Our extensive international client base validates the quality of our work and our commitment to the provision of excellence.
Our Philosophy and History
DK Engineering was founded in 1977 and takes its name from the initials of the Christian names of David and Kate Cottingham, the husband and wife team who formed the company and continue to run it today. The business initially developed from David's love of XK Jaguars. David first bought a lightweight XK 120 model in 1963, which he restored and raced. To help finance his racing hobby, David prepared and repaired other people's examples in his spare time. He built up a reputation within the Jaguar fraternity for his knowledge, standard of work, and meticulous attention to detail. The demands on his time became so great that in 1977, he and Kate decided to take the plunge and go into business full-time with the formation of DK, with Kate taking on the administrative duties.
Photograph: DK's first employee, Phil Challis.
Being mechanically inquisitive, and with all period Jaguars having the same straight six engine configuration, David looked towards Ferraris as a further challenge to his skills, with their much broader range of engine designs. He started restoring and rebuilding earlier examples of the marque, which opened up new avenues of business.
International Clientele
As his company's workmanship came to the attention of Ferrari enthusiasts, building up an international clientele, the growth in the business necessitated a move from their original premises in Northwood to their second premises in Watford in 1984. Since then, the world has witnessed the meteoric rise in Ferrari prices of the late eighties and the subsequent crash at the beginning of the nineties. Where many businesses threw caution to the wind during the height of the boom and expanded into larger, more affluent premises, DK kept their feet firmly on the ground, working the increased business into their existing space, and thus survived where many others failed, due to their reputation for consistently high quality. Restoration to perfection has been the company motto. In 2007, DK Engineering undertook their biggest restoration yet, Little Green Street Farm, their new state-of-the-art premises set in beautiful Victorian farm buildings.
DK now regularly employs 18 mechanics, and juniors are trained in-house to understand the working practices and standards required. In addition to restoration, rebuilding, and general maintenance work, they are also involved in historic competitions, undertaking preparation and providing support crews for clients at club and international event levels.
The business is set to continue into the next generation, with David and Kate's sons Justin and James having all at one point held an active involvement in it. James also follows in their father’s footsteps behind the wheel in competition.
Our Team
David and Kate Cottingham are the husband and wife team who founded the company in 1977. Their three sons, at various points in time, have all worked in the business. Over the years, Justin, Jeremy and James have been involved in the day-to-day running of DK Engineering. Justin has been part of the business since 1998 and has previously run both parts and service departments, as well as the essential and complementary storage business, which houses many vehicles in our custom-built facilities. Jeremy started at DK in 1996 and developed the sales department. James joined him in 2002 (part-time whilst he studied Mechanical Engineering at Bristol University) and full-time from 2007 onwards. As acquisition consultants, they developed the sales department into a well-known and influential worldwide operation. In 2016, Jeremy decided to leave the family business and start his own separate and new business solely to specialise in sales.
During James' time in the business, he has helped develop the worldwide image and reputation by managing the restoration of our award-winning facilities and later helping Jeremy grow the sales department. Today, James works alongside David and Kate, helping to ensure the smooth running of the business whilst also maintaining his position as lead Acquisition Consultant in the sales department. In recent years, James has been responsible for many world record deals, including a string of McLaren F1s and Ferrari 250 GT SWBs.
Phil Redpath manages the servicing business and is DK's service advisor. With previous Ferrari main-dealer experience, he works alongside our senior master technician, Adrian, to ensure the smooth running of the workshop. Jordan and Filipe are jointly responsible for acquiring, storing, charging, and selling our extensive stock of parts. Our technicians are primarily trained in-house from the apprentice stage upwards or factory-trained at main dealers before joining DK, usually to find a greater diversity of motorcars in the workplace. In all, DK has around fifteen technicians, two engine builders, and a full-time logistics driver.
Katie and the finance team take care of the complex company accounts, assisted by Monique (who also attends to HR matters and provides front-of-house cover).
DK Engineering is very much a family business. Many of DK's former employees have used the experience and knowledge gained at DK to help them found their own companies, most of which are now successful, having used the fundamental principles learned at DK. At present, we have a workforce of circa 50 employees.
Key Team Members at DK
David has a fount of knowledge gained from 60 years of hands-on restoration and race preparation of hundreds of special cars. Considered to be a world authority on 1950s Sports Racing Ferraris. Co-owner Kate is a passionate supporter of the Ferrari marque and remains committed to the long-established company ethos.
Youngest son of David and Kate and part of the DK team since 2002. Graduated from Bristol University with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering. Passionate about all things Ferrari and racing from an early age. James is responsible for some of the most significant sales carried out by DK, an accomplished racing driver, and always managing circa five restoration projects.
Eldest son of David and Kate, Justin has a wealth of experience, having worked across all aspects of the company. Today, he oversees all operations. An avid collector of quirky classic cars, Justin also spends one day a week managing a large collection of significant Porsches on behalf of a client.
Monique moved to the UK from South Africa with a Law degree from Stellenbosch University. She has been with DK since 2014. Having previously run her own business, she understands the importance of every aspect of the business. From accounts to HR to event management and anything else that comes along, Monique plays a key role at DK.
Phil first joined DK in 2005 and has worked in various departments of the business. Having been in the industry for over 25 years, always being around Ferraris, he now heads up the service department and offers an unparalleled breadth and depth of knowledge.
Having joined DK in early 2022 following a lengthy stint at HR Owen Ferrari, Jonathan brings a wealth of automotive experience to the DK sales department. Today, Jonathan specialises in prestige car sales as well as sourcing specific cars to match complex criteria from overseas buyers.
Luke has worked behind the scenes at DK since 2018. With an extensive background in social media, photography and content strategy, today, he spends much of his time researching and writing about the cars for sale. Luke continues to work tirelessly to help develop and shape DK's world-leading brand identity.
Joining DK in late 2022, Tom brings years of experience from the world-renowned Salon Privé events. A young talent in the industry, his never-dying passion goes far deeper than meets the eye. Spending his day across the board in Acquisitions, Tom’s proficiency helps to deliver the complete service.
Jeremy has joined the Storage Team, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge from over 35 years in the retail industry. He is a passionate Ferrari enthusiast. A keen fan of racing, especially F1, he enjoys his weekends visiting tracks and being a main member of the Scuderia Ferrari Club.
David has been involved in the motor industry since 2002, starting as a test engineer for BMW. He has spent the last 14 years in sales management with BMW, Bentley, and Land Rover in Mayfair. He is a keen yachtsman at an international level, a pilot, and, most importantly, a car enthusiast.
Rob has been a key part of DK’s team since 2002. Starting in the workshop he has gained experience throughout the business and has a fine understanding of all things mechanical; helping assist clients and technicians with their every need. In September 2023, Rob joined the storage department team.
Alex has been in the industry for almost 20 years, starting his career in the workshop before becoming Head of Aftersales for Pagani. His vast technical knowledge of multiple high-end brands led him to become our Technical Advisor and coordinate our projects.
Jordan has worked in the automotive industry for over a decade. Concours drew him to parts where he enjoys the research and hunt for rare items, never settling for something being ‘unavailable’. He values originality and is driven by keeping owners’ cars on the road and track, using our vast worldwide network and in-house supplies built up over the decades.
Bal Virdi is a seasoned parts and service advisor at DK. Bal formally worked for HR Owen and is well-renowned in the industry for his extensive knowledge of Ferrari automotive parts.
Career Opportunities
Employment at DK Engineering isn't merely a job; it's a shared dedication to excellence and collaboration with the finest individuals.
At DK Engineering, our workforce lies at the core of our operations. Our commitment to delivering unparalleled customer service is upheld by the knowledgeable, diligent, and enthusiastic individuals we employ.
In return, we prioritise the well-being of our employees by offering competitive benefits packages and providing new team members with opportunities for learning and advancement.
DK Engineering are always willing to consider your CV. Please contact us via our "contact page" with your CV.
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