Santander Consumer Finance UK has appointed Russell Forbes as its new sales director, responsible for growing its business leasing and contract hire division.

Forbes has over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, having previously worked at Audi UK as national contract hire and leasing manager.

Aaron Cardoso, head of leasing at Santander said: “Santander has achieved considerable growth in its contract hire and leasing operations over recent years and Russell will ensure the momentum we have achieved will accelerate as we expand this side of our business.”

Since entering the contract hire and corporate leasing sector in 2017, Santander has grown its fleet to be the eighth largest in the sector.

The firm intends to treble the size of its leasing and contract hire fleet by 2030.

Forbes said: “I welcome this opportunity to lead the next stage of growing Santander’s leasing and contract hire operations and look forward to building existing partnerships and establishing new ones.”