CONGRATULATIONS to Russell Forbes, appointed the new Sales Director at Santander Consumer UK with immediate effect. Russell will be responsible for growing the company’s leasing and contract hire operations. He replaces Adam Harley, who left to become Managing Director of Porsche Financial Services GB.
Forbes brings considerable corporate fleet experience to the role, joining with immediate effect from Audi UK where he was National Contract Hire and Leasing Manager, a position he has held for the last six years.
He was previously Used Car Remarketing Manager at Nissan Motor GB, having started his automotive career in retailing at the Phoenix Car Company.
Santander Consumer UK entered the corporate leasing and contract hire market in 2017 and currently has the UK’s eighth largest fleet of vehicles, according to the FN50. By the end of 2030 it plans to treble the size of its fleet and be a top five player in the sector.
We are delighted to welcome Russell Forbes to the business. He brings a wealth of knowledge to this leadership role, having over 20 years’ management experience in the automotive sector. 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.
Aaron Cardoso, Head of Leasing, Santander
Speaking about his appointment Forbes commented: “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.”

