Daksh Gupta returns to motor retail as non-exec chairman of AM100 group

Daksh Gupta is keeping his motor retail skills sharpened despite having left the sector and is now returning as a non-executive chairman of another AM100 dealer group.

The former Marshall Motor Holdings chief executive, who now heads builders merchant Huws Gray Group, has accepted the role at Hendy Group as the AM100 group seeks to strengthen its senior management in readiness for more expansion.

At Hendy, Gupta will be joined by Michael Buxton, former president of Cox Automotive and Nigel Farrell, partner at Farrells Legal Services, as non-executive directors and will offer strategic and operational expertise to the executive team headed by chief executive Paul Hendy and chief finance officer Jonathan Moritz.

Additionally, Duncan McPhee, who joined Hendy as chief operating officer in October, has been promoted to director.

Gupta’s impressive track record includes a 15-year tenure as group CEO of Marshall Motor Holdings plc, where he oversaw massive growth - leading 84 transactions, expanding revenues from £300m to £4bn, and secured a successful stock market listing in 2015.

Gupta also serves as 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.

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 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 the wider executive team over the coming years to help unlock the significant opportunities that exist for the group."

Hendy ranks among the UK’s top 20 dealer groups, surpassed £1bn in turnover, representing 22 brands across the south of England.