Providing dealers with a no-cost outsourced accident management service is the new challenge for Daksh Gupta, former director of Inchcape’s Mercedes-Benz and Smart franchises.

As chief operating officer of Accident Exchange, he aims to use his experience of motor retailing to add more dealer groups to the £100m turnover, AIM-listed company’s books. Its clients already include Listers, Jardine Motors, Lookers, Cooper BMW and Audi UK.

The business has been hit by slower than forecast growth in the third quarter. Its profit warning on February 8 sent its share price plummeting by more than £1 to a 52-week low of 259p.

However, the company expects this to improve in Q4, as winter leads to more dealer referrals. “Our model guarantees revenue, increases profit and new car sales, and increases customer satisfaction and retention.

“We know we can increase performance for our partners, but because it is misunderstood by some retailers, I hope to translate what we do for those outside our market,” says Gupta.

The company has also appointed former Camden Motor regional director and MD of The Car Shop, Adrian Lewis, as its commercial director.