Cox Automotive has promoted its UK CEO Martin Forbes into the position of president of Cox Automotive International, effective immediately.

The US-based automotive remarketing, marketing, software and funding business first appointed Forbes back in 2015, when he joined as managing director to run the retail, media and dealer software businesses in the UK and also launch a new data and insight division.

During the past five years Forbes assumed a role as chief operating officer for a short period prior to taking up his current post in July 2018, replacing Michael Buxton as CEO for Cox Automotive in the UK.

Cox said that the promotion to the role of president of Cox Automotive International would see Forbes continue his responsibilities for the UK business, while adding financial and operational leadership responsibility for a multitude of key markets including Europe as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil.

Forbes will also be looking at growth strategies in future markets such as China and India.

Forbes will continue to report into Mark Bowser, chief financial officer for Cox Automotive Inc.

Bowser said: “Martin is an accomplished global leader who is ready to guide our international business through the next phase of strategic growth in a post-COVID environment.

“He is going to strengthen the connections between our business units and geographies and continue our efforts to focus on the biggest opportunities for growth around the world.

“Martin’s already proven capable in these areas as he’s helped reshape the UK business over the past few years.

“In the last 12 months, he has overseen the high-profile Dealer Auction joint venture with Autotrader in the UK and, more recently, the acquisition of CWL Limited, one of the largest UK vehicle services organisations – and the biggest acquisition in the UK.

“He brings a wealth of global experience to this expanded role and I know he will help take our international business to new heights.”

Prior to joining Cox Automotive, Forbes had a successful career in finance and marketing at companies in London, including time spent as the chief executive of digital media agency, Stink Group, with responsibility for the company’s business across the EU, Russia, Brazil, US and China.

He started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, spending nine years specialising in tax structuring for Private Equity backed transactions.