LeasePlan’s CarNext.com digital pan-European used-car marketplace has appointed Maarten van Neerven as chief financial officer (CFO), effective 1 September 2019.

Maarten van Neerven chief financial officer at CarNext.com

Van Neerven joins CarNext.com from Dutch brand Bugaboo, where he was CFO and is credited with developments including introducing a more data-driven decision-making culture. Prior to this, he spent eight years at Phillips, first with its Domestic Appliances group, before becoming CFO of Philips Research. He has a Master’s degree in business economics and a post-graduate degree as a certified Controller from the Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Ewout van Jarwaarde, CEO of CarNext.comn said: “I’m delighted to welcome Maarten to the team. He comes to CarNext.com with a great track record and his experience will be a real asset in our ambitious growth plans.”

Maarten van Neerven added: “CarNext.com is one of Europe’s fastest growing mobility companies. I’m excited to be joining the company at such an important time in its growth and look forward to working with the team in bringing the CarNext.com to its next stage of development.”

His appointment comes just weeks after LeasePlan reiterated that it continues to review various strategic alternatives for CarNext.com, although no final decision has been reached, and said it intends to continue to invest in CarNext.com to accelerate its growth. The comments came as the leasing giant reported a downturn in the Q2 2019 net result as a result of quarterly cost increases of €14m largely related to increased investment in CarNext.com.

The latest figures show the CarNext.com business continues to grow. B2C volumes were up 35% in Q2 to 15,700 vehicles, retail sales up by 56% and run-rate B2C sales penetration at 23%. Meanwhile, during the quarter, the number of delivery stores grew to 37 in 22 countries (new: Lisbon, Verona, Bucharest and Valencia).