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Founder Profile

H.M. Bentley

Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya

Who is H.M. Bentley?

H.M. Bentley is a founder of Bentley Motors, which was founded in 1919 with Walter Owen Bentley (W.O. Bentley).

Company founded
Bentley Motors
Founded
1919
Co-founders
Walter Owen Bentley (W.O. Bentley)

Background

H.M. Bentley came from the London motor trade rather than engineering. His experience running the brothers' DFP dealership, including its racing and record-breaking publicity, gave Bentley Motors its first commercial footing.

Founding Story

Horace Milner Bentley, known as H.M., was W.O. Bentley's elder brother and his business partner. From 1912 the two ran Bentley & Bentley in London, importing and tuning French DFP cars, and the mews they worked from is where the first 3 litre Bentley engine was assembled and run. H.M. handled the selling and administration while W.O. concentrated on engine design, and the brothers registered Bentley Motors Limited together in 1919. (Exact birth year remains publicly undisclosed).

Sources

This profile does not yet cite a source specific to H.M. Bentley. The sources below document the company company rather than the person, so check them against the claims above.

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