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Antoniadis led the electrical retailer’s assault into the UK market, with the first store opening in Thurrock, Essex, on 30 April.

Best Buy Europe has now appointed Andrew Harrison as its chief operating officer, reporting to chief executive Scott Wheway.

Harrison joins from The Carphone Warehouse, after 15 years with the company, but will continue to lead The Carphone Warehouse and The Phone House across nine European countries.

He will assume additional responsibility for driving Best Buy Europe’s 'Connected World' strategy and customer proposition across all Best Buy Europe brands.

Wheway, said: "We are grateful to Paul for his outstanding contributions, not only to Best Buy Europe, but also to the Best Buy business, particularly in China and Mexico, and we wish him every success in the future."

Harrison said: "The internet is evolving at a blistering pace and what really excites me is that we have only experienced a fraction of the connectivity products and services that have yet to come."

He added: "We have a fantastic opportunity at Best Buy Europe to bring all the riches and colour this 'Connected World' has to offer customers, backed with the promise of outstanding service across a bigger stage than ever before."

Best Buy opened a store in Merry Hill in the West Midlands last month, which will be followed by stores at Aintree near Liverpool and at Croydon later in the year, and Bristol in 2011.

The US retailer partnered with Carphone Warehouse in 2006, allowing the UK business to bring its mobile phone expertise to the US market under the banner 'Best Buy Mobile'.

Two years later, Best Buy acquired 50% of the Carphone Warehouse's US and European retail interests for £1.1bn, and created the joint venture, Best Buy Europe.

The new venture was designed to accelerate the development of Carphone Warehouse's retail proposition and to introduce Best Buy stores across Europe.

In April, Best Buy revealed plans to sell electric cars in its stores, in an area dedicated to "energy-saving and green-efficient technology", called The area was unveiled at the Thurrock store that month and stocks energy-saving products, such as electric cars, motorcycles, scooters and bicycles.