Graeme Potts has left Inchcape four years after joining the London-based international motor group.

Potts, 48, left the post of managing director for UK and Europe last Sunday, within three days of the plc’s announcement to shareholders that he would be stepping down.

In a statement, Potts says he looks forward to “new challenges” but doesn’t hint at what these may be.

In July he became a non-executive director of Mitie Group, a building and infrastructure business.

Andre Lacroix, Inchcape chief executive, says the UK business has “significantly improved” under Potts’ leadership, with growth achieved organically and through acquisitions, such as Lind Group this year.

However, he has no plans to replace Potts. Spencer Lock, UK Retail managing director, will now report directly to Lacroix.

Potts joined Inchcape in 2002 from his previous role as group managing director of RAC Motoring Services. Prior to that, he had been chief executive of Reg Vardy Group, where he served 16 years.