Gumtree, the UK’s largest online classifieds platform, has appointed its UK Commercial Director, Matt Barham, to the role of General Manager. In his new role, effective immediately, Barham will lead Gumtree’s next phase of growth following the introduction of a new business strategy focusing on delivering best-in-class experience in its key verticals.
Since joining Gumtree UK’s parent company, eBay Classifieds Group (eCG) over six years ago, Barham has been a core member of the Gumtree leadership team during a crucial period of the brand’s exciting evolution. In this time, he has gained deep understanding of the business and the UK market more widely, introducing new commercial initiatives including an auto dealer proposition currently growing at 40%, and established Gumtree as a leading UK publisher in Programmatic Advertising.
Barham, who joined eCG in 2011, will bring this depth of knowledge to his new role, leading the business at Gumtree to focus on the distinct requirements of its users across different verticals, such as Jobs, Motors, and For Sale. The first phase of this strategy was recently implemented with the launch of a new ‘Jobs from Gumtree’ proposition.
Matt Barham, General Manager of Gumtree UK, said: “Gumtree is thriving. Over the last few years the concept of the sharing economy has captured the world’s imagination, but we’ve been helping people find and trade in the things they love and need for 17 years. With more than a third of the UK population visiting the site each month, we are well positioned for continued growth through our new vertically-focused strategy.
Gumtree Motors is already the fastest-growing classified marketplace for motors, and we’ve just launched our new ‘Jobs for Gumtree’ initiative. I couldn’t be happier to lead the fantastic Gumtree team as we enter this exciting phase. I’d like to thank my predecessor, Morten Heuing, for his invaluable contribution to the business during his tenure.”
Gumtree UK’s outgoing General Manager, Morten Heuing, will return to his native Copenhagen to pursue new opportunities, after spending almost seven years with Gumtree’s parent company eBay Classifieds Group – two years of which was at the helm of Gumtree UK – and making a significant contribution to the success of the business.
