SMH appoints new management team for Swatch as chief departs

Swatch, the fashion watch brand owned by SMH, has recruited a new management team following the departure of brand director Jill Pinnington.

Jamie Home becomes brand director, the most senior position at Swatch in the UK. He moves from fashion label Diesel, where he was European retail director.

The marketing director post has been handed to Sally Plumridge, from toy manufacturer Mattel. Scott Thompson has been appointed sales director. He moves from Christian Dior, where he was a national account executive.

Pinnington resigned as Swatch sales and marketing director at the beginning of the year (MW January 29), but while working out her six-month notice period she was promoted to brand director, following the departure of SMH managing director Carl Oliver.

Oliver left the company in May, and Pinnington stepped into the top Swatch job, which Oliver had held in addition to being managing director of SMH. Malcolm Douglas, previously brand director for SMH-owned Tissot, be came managing director of the company (MW April 30).

Swatch has developed a wristwatch which doubles as a mobile phone, called Swatch Talk. It is scheduled to launch in the UK at the end of this year.