BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions has appointed Jean-Michel Boyer as its new CEO for the UK.

He succeeds Tristan Watkins who was recently promoted to programme manager of the BNP Paribas North America Growth Plan.

The North America Growth Plan is a joint initiative with Bank of the West to expand the group's equipment finance business in the US and Canada over the next three years.

Boyer has worked with the BNP Paribas group for more than 30 years, starting in 1986 at UFB Locabail, the equipment leasing arm of Paribas subsidiary Compagnie Bancaire.

During his tenure at BNP Paribas, Boyer has held several senior managerial, sales, and business development positions within the agriculture, technology solutions, and international business lines equipment and logistics solutions divisions.

As UK CEO, Boyer will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and management for the 450-strong team, as well as overseeing key customer relationships.

Boyer said: “Last year, BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions UK advanced in excess of £1.25 billion to over 100,000 British businesses.

"In my role as CEO, I hope to play a key role in exceeding our ambitious growth targets year-on-year.”