A management reorganisation at Ridgeway Group has seen finance director John O’Hanlon promoted to chief executive.

O’Hanlon is now focused on strategic planning and property.

He retains the finance director’s responsibility but has two financial controllers in hands-on roles: one for its Volkswagen and Audi operation and one for Mercedes-Benz.

David Newman had previously combined his chairman role with that of managing director.

However, the group has just appointed Daksh Gupta as managing director.

Gupta, previously a Mercedes-Benz franchise director with Inchcape, quit as chief operating officer of Accident Exchange last November.

Newman said Gupta is “the operator of the business, and will focus on KPIs, CSI and performance management”.

In February 2007, Ridgeway Group bought Pentagon, a south of England dealer business with Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler dealerships, plus several commercial vehicle outlets.

Newman said 2008 will be a year of consolidation, with growth ambitions a possibility for next year.