Ron Santiago has taken over as managing director of Europcar Mobility Group UK.

Ron Santiago, managing director of Europcar Mobility Group UK

He replaces Gary Smith, who has been appointed as the MD for the group’s Northern Europe and US Region, and returns to the UK after 12 years spent running Europcar Mobility Group’s operations in Australia and New Zealand.

Santiago’s total car rental career spans 33 years, three continents and nine countries. Previous roles in the UK include as strategic development and business services director at Europcar, vice president of UK operations and vice president international sales and marketing EMEA.

The new position will see Santiago spearhead the roll-out of the group’s Connect 2023 plan in the UK, bringing solutions to cater for customers’ new mobility needs and expectations in an expected post-pandemic market rebound.

Santiago said: “It is tremendously exciting to be returning to the UK where I worked for 17 years previously. Gary Smith has handed over the reins of an innovative and customer-focused business that has stood up to the challenges of 2020 exceptionally well, delivering services that go to the heart of the needs of private and business customers.

“In a challenging and complex environment, still impacted by the pandemic, I’m excited to work with our colleagues and customers, as we focus on providing the right mobility solutions to help the UK economy get back on track. I’m also looking forward to be developing and offering services that can support the Government’s low- and zero-emission goals.”