DWS Bodyworks is being brought back into private ownership with a management buyout for an undisclosed sum led by new owner and original founder of the company Dave Smithyes and the DWS executive team.

The team behind the MBO said the company would look to expand further in the M25 area with fleet, retail, light commercial, truck, 24 hour MoT and servicing work.

Under the new ownership, the executive team will be reconfigured to include Dave Smithyes as executive chairman, Paul Pancham as chief executive, Bob Florence as commercial director, Scott Thompson as finance director and Jackie Jones as organisational development director.

Pancham said: “Our plans are to continue to invest in the business and our people to drive forward a new approach to the market that expands on the competencies within the organisation.
“We will continue to develop a model that secures capacity at the right cost and enhances the speed and quality of the repair process from end to end. It’s very exciting to be part of the next stage in the company’s evolution, as the executive team recognises the opportunity for a dynamic, flexible and robust business in today’s changing repair market.”