Why did Birch decide to create the best car storage facility in the UK?

Who are Birch?

For many years now, car storage has been something of an afterthought in the UK. The demand for classic car storage, long-term storage and short-term storage has always been high, but execution has often been overlooked. There are a vast number of car storage facilities located all over the country, but many of them have their own take on what car storage looks like.

The team behind Birch is made up of an expert mix of petrolheads who all have a wealth of experience with cars. The Board of Directors includes Daniel Wood, a senior Lloyd's Insurance Underwriter who, alongside Desmond Boughton—another industry leading Lloyd's Broker—co-founded an ultra-high net worth insurance brokerage based in London.

Daniel and Desmond both remain involved in the insurance sector and are influential to the foundations of Birch. Having their finger on the pulse around what's important to safeguard a range of high value assets including fine art, jewellery and classic cars gives them not only the motivation to ensure Birch's clients' cars are kept safe, but also accurate knowledge around lots of do's and don'ts.

The Team on the ground also includes Lee Sullivan and Zaak Andrews, who between them have more than 30 years combined experience across a diverse spread of car-focussed careers. From facilitating sales of top-tier supercars, sourcing rare classic cars for astute buyers, managing restorations and leading award-winning marketing campaigns, their passion for cars ensures that preserving yours is at the top of their list of things to do.

Daniel is incredibly proud of the journey Birch has been on and the Brand’s inception over five years ago. Given that the development of the concept took some time, there’s a clear vision about the future of car storage amongst the team.

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Where did the idea for Birch come from?

"There are billions of pounds worth of cars stored poorly in this country. After a visit to a sub-standard facility for a collection of vehicles that required a high level of insurance, it was clear the need for something newer, better and more secure was paramount." Daniel explains.

"The collection that needed insuring totalled almost £80 million and was stored in a facility that had no fire suppression. It had basic security measures and was a generally poor environment. It was remote but it didn’t feel discreet enough for us. It was clear that classic car storage needed to change and quickly."

“Working closely with the owner of the collection, we agreed that the facility was not up to scratch and so we set about creating a business plan to address the inadequacies of car storage in this country.”  

"We believe we've created something special and incredibly unique with the Birch system. As we continue to grow we will certainly be looking to change the perception of car storage in the UK and ultimately, the world." Daniel adds.  

“Many facilities we visited and assessed did not have some of the technologies that we've championed at Birch. None of them had fire suppression systems, most of them nowhere near the security measures we've implemented and some even had pest and rodent issues— something which can be catastrophic for high-value vehicles if not mitigated. There was no doubt about it, British storage at the ultra-premium end of the spectrum was somewhat lacking and it was the Birch team's job to change that."

Find out more about the data from Aviva's 2024 study on rodent-related car storage issues here.

The growth of Birch

The development of Birch strengthened more so with the investment and involvement of the Chilton family, led by Grahame Chilton — known throughout the industry as "Chily" — a former reinsurance CEO.

"With my insurance background and as an avid car collector, I've been impressed since day one with the approach the founders Daniel and Desmond took with car storage," Grahame explains. "Individual fire suppression, armoured power supplies, 24/7 security and a unique racking system helped to create the finest car storage facility in the world, and clearly their customers agreed."
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The system combined with the facility has been so well received, that Birch now has the seal of approval from some of the world’s leading insurance companies. Aviva Private Clients have even listed Birch as a specialist supplier for car storage in their specialist services directory.

Joining Grahame in the business is his eldest son Tom Chilton — a highly experienced FIA World & British Touring Car driver — who now serves as Birch's Commercial Director. Tom has competed in over 530 BTCC races, so is well versed to add invaluable motorsport expertise to the Birch foundation.

"In racing, the difference between winning and losing is measured in milliseconds," Tom explains. "That same obsession with precision and preparation is exactly what we bring to car storage at Birch. Whether it's getting a car ready for the grid or preparing it for long-term storage, every detail matters."

"It really is world-class automotive asset management with a vault unrivalled in the industry. We're all very proud to be on this journey and as we approach the festive period, we can't wait to share news on our big plans for Birch in 2026."

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What makes Birch different?

Birch isn't just about providing space - it's about delivering comprehensive automotive asset management. From optimal environments and multi-layered security to professional vehicle preparation and concierge services, every aspect of the Birch experience is designed around one principle: your automotive investment deserves nothing less than excellence.

The Brand represents a new standard in the industry — one where technology, expertise, and genuine passion combine to create protection that goes far beyond traditional storage. Whether you're a private collector, a motorsport professional, or a corporate fleet manager, Birch offers the same uncompromising commitment to the ultimate solution in car storage.

With a passionate team that includes insurance expertise, automotive specialists, marketing professionals and motorsport veterans, Birch brings together diverse perspectives united by a single mission: changing the perception of car storage in the UK and setting new benchmarks for the industry worldwide.

The Birch Vision

As Birch continues to grow and evolve, the vision remains clear: to be recognised not just as a storage provider, but as the definitive authority in car care. A Brand where security, service and expertise combine to create peace of mind for owners of the world's most valuable vehicles.

From the insurance industry foundations that identified the problem, to the automotive passion that drives the solution, to the racing precision that defines the standards — Birch represents a fundamental shift in how the industry approaches automotive preservation.

The journey that began over five years ago continues with the same commitment to excellence, innovation and the belief that exceptional cars deserve exceptional care. That's not just what Birch does — it's who Birch is.