Paul Barlow

Global Executive | CEO & Managing Director | Board Director & Advisor | GAICD

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

About

Experienced global executive driving growth, transformation and international expansion across SaaS, technology, data driven and online marketplace businesses. Strong commercial, operational and M&A integration background in Australia, Asia, Latin America and USA. Most recently, I served as Managing Director of carsales, part of ASX 50 company CAR Group Ltd, where I led a portfolio of digital marketplaces and B2B SaaS solutions. For more than a decade prior, I was Managing Director International and a member of CAR Group’s Global Executive Leadership Team, responsible for building the company’s global footprint. I led major global acquisitions and subsequent operations in Brazil, South Korea, USA, Chile, Mexico and Argentina helping accelerate CAR Group’s market capitalisation from $1.7bn in 2012 to $15bn in 2024. My background also includes founding and scaling a SaaS Software and Data business through to acquisition by a NYSE-listed company, and delivering sustained growth through technology, strategy and strong customer partnerships. I bring deep experience in strategy, investor relations, culture leadership, M&A, digital transformation and scaling high-growth global businesses.

Experience

  • Advisor at EQT Group
    Oct 2025 - Present · 9 mos

    Global investment organisation focused on active ownership strategies Provide strategic knowledge in due diligence on target companies, identify value creation levers, challenge/improve management plans

  • Advisor at Squitchy Lane Holdings
    Oct 2025 - Present · 9 mos

    Operates digital marketplaces in Mexico & Ecuador Guide the growth strategy of the group, mentor executive leadership team on the ground in Mexico City and Quito, Ecuador

  • Eastern Football Netball League (Part-time · 10 yrs 3 mos)
    • Chair
      Feb 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 5 mos

      The Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL) is the largest football/netball league in Australia in terms of numbers of players participating each weekend with over 22,000 registered participants

    • Board Member
      Apr 2016 - Present · 10 yrs 3 mos

  • CAR Group (Melbourne, VIC)
    • Managing Director carsales (ASX: CAR)
      Apr 2022 - Mar 2025 · 3 yrs

      Responsible for the carsales business including carsales.com.au, Australia’s no 1 auto site, and part of the Global Executive Leadership Team of CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR), an ASX 50 company. carsales operates Digital Marketplaces, SaaS B2B Solutions & Technology Services in the Auto, Bikes, Trucks, Boats, Watercraft, Caravan/RV, Camping, Construction and Farm Machinery verticals with business operations in Australia, New Zealand & SE Asia

    • Managing Director International (ASX: CAR)
      Mar 2013 - Apr 2022 · 9 yrs 2 mos

      Responsibility for starting and operating the global growth strategy of CAR Group through acquisition and integration of businesses in Brazil (webmotors 2013), South Korea (Encar 2014), Mexico (soloautos 2015, exit 2024), Chile (chileautos 2016), Argentina (Demotores 2017, exit 2020) and USA (Trader Interactive 2021)

    • Strategy Director (ASX: CAR)
      Jun 2009 - Mar 2013 · 3 yrs 10 mos

      Creation of the CAR Group Global Growth Strategy, SaaS product Livemarket and the Tyresales.com.au business

  • Managing Director (ASX: CAR) at carsales
    Apr 2022 - Mar 2025 · 3 yrs

    carsales is a fully owned subsidiary of ASX 50 company CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR) and operates Digital Marketplaces, SaaS B2B Solutions & Technology Services in the Auto, Bikes, Trucks, Boats, Watercraft, Caravan/RV, Camping, Construction and Farm Machinery verticals with business operations in Australia, New Zealand & SE Asia