Kevin Turnbull has resigned as chairman of Autobytel UK as part of a move by parent company Inchcape plc to reorganise its online car sales subsidiary. He will not be replaced. Autobytel has suffered losses each year since Inchcape brought the US-owned firm to the UK in 1998. Turnbull, also Inchcape group director of e-commerce, was appointed to develop Autobytel in the UK and mainland Europe, but was unable to turn in a profit.

He says now is the right time to step aside and pursue new opportunities. The division will report direct to Inchape UK chief executive Robert Hazelwood.

Turnbull's skills were rooted in the start up of new businesses, a spokesman adds, describing his departure as “a mutual decision”. Darren Payne will head up Autobytel for the immediate future but Inchcape confirms it will be looking at the division's internal structure as it look to further cut costs this year.