8:23 am, August 13, 2026
A Big Motoring World executive who found himself at the centre of the controversial Peter Waddell court case has left the used car supermarket group with immediate effect.
Reza Fardad joined Big Motoring World as part of the Freshstream investment group which bought a stake in the firm in 2022, going on to play a key role in the recent High Court drama.
He has now departed the firm, following a day of rumours and denials from both sides of the Big Motoring World saga.
Throughout yesterday (Aug 12), a number of sources close to ousted founder Peter Waddell contacted Car Dealer to suggest that changes were coming at the top of the used car supermarket group.
Car Dealer then approached senior sources within the company, who described the rumours as ‘categorically untrue’.
However, within hours of those denials, several filings were made via Companies House, confirming that Fardad had been terminated as a director.
When approached again by Car Dealer, Big Motoring World said that a statement would be issued ‘imminently’.
According to the documents, his departure was made official last Friday (Aug 7) and he has now been removed as a director of Big’s holding company – Bapchild Motoring World (Kent) Limited as well as subsidiaries ‘Bluebell Cars Bidco Limited’ and Bluebell Cars Topco Limited.
While he will no longer have any direct role at Big Motoring World, Fardad remains an active director of Freshstream.
James Cartwright of Freshstream has replaced Reza Fardad on the Big Motoring World board, while Fraser Pearce – an expert in complex restructuring cases – has also joined the firm as non-executive chairman in place of Laurence Vaughan, who is remaining as the firm’s CEO.
Elsewhere, David Thompson has joined as a non-executive director, following a ‘review of governance arrangements’.
Bosses insist that there have been ‘no changes to the operational management of the group’ despite the boardroom shakeup.
A spokesman for the firm said: ‘Following a review of governance arrangements, Big has today announced a number of changes to its board.
‘There are no changes to the operational management of the group.’
CEO Laurence Vaughan added: ‘I would like to welcome the new members of the board, and I very much look forward to their support as we continue to build the leading UK car supermarket.’
Courtroom drama
Fardad was a key figure in the legal battle between Waddell and Freshstream, with Mr Justice Marcus Smith finding that he had been involved in plans to remove Waddell as CEO.
The judge rejected parts of Fardad’s evidence, finding that the investor had detailed knowledge of concerns over Waddell’s conduct and was involved in ‘war planning’ against him.
Fardad was also found to have acted in a conflict of interest and without good faith when involved in the subsequent investigation into Waddell.
The judge concluded that Fardad had breached his duties as a director of Big Motoring World.