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Hendy Automotive further strengthens Board with new appointments to steer next phase of growth

Hendy Automotive further strengthens Board with new appointments to steer next phase of growth
5 min read Published 27 Mar 25

●        Daksh Gupta joins as Non-Executive Chairman

●        Two Non-Executive Directors also appointed: Michael Buxton and Nigel Farrell

●        Duncan McPhee, Chief Operating Officer for the Group since October 2024, becomes a Director

 

Hendy Automotive, one of the UK’s leading independent motor retail groups, has further strengthened its Board with the addition of four new members as it plans for future growth.

Daksh Gupta has been appointed Non-Executive Chairman, replacing Simon Gulliford. He is joined by new Non-Executive Directors Michael Buxton (formerly President of Cox Automotive) and Nigel Farrell (Partner in Law Firm Farrells Legal Services). All three will work alongside Chief Executive Paul Hendy and Chief Finance Officer Jonathan Moritz, bringing extensive strategic and operational experience and insight.

Alongside the new additions, Duncan McPhee has also been appointed as a Director, after joining the Group as Chief Operating Officer 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 plc (“Marshall”), 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 c.£300m to £4bn, leading the Company’s successful IPO in 2015 and creating a culture where the company was recognised as a best UK workplace for eight years in a row.

Gupta is also Vice President of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), former Board Advisor to Ford of Europe GmbH, and Vice President of Ben, the automotive industry charity. He was previously Managing Director at Ridgeway and Operations Director at Inchcape. Additionally, he is Group Chief Executive Officer of Huws Gray, one of the UK’s largest construction service groups in the UK with over 300 locations.

Hendy Chief Executive, Paul Hendy, commented: “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 added: “I have known several of the Hendy family and shareholders for many years, and I am honoured to be asked to take the role of non-executive Chairman. The Group is 166 years old in 2025 and I have long admired its culture and growth story. 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. It has operated in the south of England for over 165 years and currently represents 22 automotive brands at numerous locations across the south coast.