Auto Trader appoints Nathan Coe as COO

Digital automotive marketplace Auto Trader has appointed Nathan Coe as chief operating officer and executive director with effect from 1 April.

Coe joined the company in 2007 to oversee the transition from a magazine business to a pure digital company. He was responsible for launching a number of new business areas and led the group's early entry and subsequent growth in mobile and online.

For the past two years, he has been the joint operations director, sharing responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the business.

Prior to joining Auto Trader, Coe was at Australian telecommunications company Telstra, where he led mergers and acquisitions and corporate development for its media and internet businesses.

Chairman Ed Williams said: "On behalf of the whole board I would like to congratulate Nathan on his appointment as COO, and welcome him to the board. Nathan has been central in shaping Auto Trader into one of the UK's leading digital businesses, and the creation of the board level role of COO reflects our confidence in his abilities and strong leadership qualities."

Following Coe's appointment, the board will comprise three independent non-executive directors, three executive directors and the non-executive chairman.