DHL hires Somerfield chief Coles

DHL International, the international air express carrier, has appointed former Somerfield and Safeway marketing director David Coles as its UK managing director.

Coles will take over from Nick Butcher from January 1, but has joined the company this week to begin a month’s induction programme.

Butcher becomes regional director with responsibility for central and Eastern Europe as well as the UK.

Coles was ousted from Somerfield in April following the supermarket’s 1.2bn merger with Kwik Save. He had briefly been the merged company’s marketing director .

Before joining Somerfield in 1995, he was marketing director at Safeway, after holding the same position at Allied Bakeries.

Butcher says: “David Coles brings with him not only significant experience and business skills, but also a personal style which is well suited to the spirit and culture of DHL.”

DHL Worldwide Express is reviewing its 20m pan-European creative account. TBWA, Leo Burnett, Young & Rubicam, DDB Needham and Grey are thought to have been approached.

DHL declined to comment on the pitch.

Sholtz & Friends holds the 2m UK account and Mellors Reay, now part of Grey, works on press and radio advertising.