Hendy Automotive has bolstered its board with the appointment of Daksh Gupta as a non-executive chairman, replacing Simon Gulliford.
He is joined by new non-executive directors Michael Buxton, the ex-president of Cox Automotive and Nigel Farrell, partner in law Firm Farrells Legal Services.
They will work alongside chief executive Paul Hendy and chief finance officer Jonathan Moritz.
Duncan McPhee has also been appointed as a director, after joining the group COO last October.
Gupta has enjoyed a long and successful executive career in UK motor retail, most recently as group chief executive officer at Marshall Motor Holdings, which he left in May 2023.
During his 15-year tenure at Marshall he led significant growth of the group, buying and selling 224 businesses through 84 transactions, growing revenues from £300m to £4bn.
He also led its successful IPO in 2015 and creating a culture where the company was recognised as a best UK workplace for eight years in a row.
Hendy chief executive, Paul Hendy, said: “These appointments seriously strengthen the Main Board and build on a fantastic platform.
“The motor retail sector is at a point of inflection, and we are taking important steps to ensure the group remains agile and ready to maximise new opportunities that present themselves.”
Gupta said: “I have been working with the Hendy team for the last eight months, and that gives me great confidence about the long-term prospects of the group.
“I look forward to working with Paul, the Board and wider executive team over the coming years to help unlock the significant opportunities that exist for the Group.”
Hendy Automotive is ranked in the top 20 listings of the UK’s biggest dealer groups with a 2024 turnover exceeding £1bn.
