11:28 am, October 30, 2026
Former Marshall Motor Group boss Daksh Gupta has teamed up with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) to launch a new award aimed at finding the next generation of automotive leaders.
The Future Leader Award will recognise promising managers across the motor industry, with the winner receiving a £2,000 bursary personally funded by Gupta.
The successful candidate will also benefit from 12 months of one-to-one mentoring from the former dealer group chief executive, who is now CEO of Huws Gray Group and non executive chairman of Hendy Group.
The award is open to managers working in any automotive role who have fewer than five years’ management experience and can demonstrate measurable business results.
Judges will be looking for candidates who have shown leadership potential, developed colleagues and introduced improvements within their businesses.
Gupta, who was appointed an IMI vice president in 2023, said the award was an opportunity to give something back to an industry in which he had benefited from the support of mentors throughout his career.
He said: ‘The automotive industry has given me so much throughout my career, not least the opportunity to learn from the guidance and support of many amazing mentors, too many to mention individually.
‘Their guidance has played an important part in my career, and this award is a small way for me to give back by supporting someone else on their journey.
‘Great leadership isn’t just about delivering results, it’s about inspiring people, embracing new ideas and creating a positive impact on those around you.’
He added: ‘I’m proud to personally fund the bursary and look forward to mentoring the winner over the coming year.’
Gupta will sit on the judging panel alongside former Peugeot global CEO Linda Jackson, IMI non-executive director Adrian Wallington and the organisation’s director of membership, engagement and public affairs, Sarah Whiteside Jones.
The winner will be announced at the IMI Annual Dinner and Awards at London’s InterContinental Hotel Park Lane on March 10, 2027.
IMI chief executive Nick Connor said: ‘Not only will it celebrate the achievements of the next leaders in our sector, we believe it will inspire others to push themselves and try new things.’
Nominations are now open, with further details available on the IMI website.
Picture: Daksh Gupta with Rachel Clift at Car Dealer Live 2025