Volvo loses senior global marketer

Volvo’s global vice-president of marketing and communications has left to join a Swedish consultancy.

Hans Krondahl, who was second in command to global head of marketing Dieter Laxy, is to join Semcon Education. Semcon is part of the same consultancy group that former Volvo global marketing chief Knut Simonsson joined last year.

Volvo has seen many changes in its marketing department since it was bought by Ford last March. Former BMW engineering and marketing executive Wolfgang Reitzle was brought in to head the Premier Auto Group, consisting of Jaguar, Lincoln, Aston Martin and Volvo.

Reitzle’s appointment prompted Knut Simonsson’s immediate departure. Three months later, Reitzle poached former BMW colleague Laxy to replace him. Krondahl reported to Laxy.

Krondahl has been with Volvo for five years. He was previously chief executive of ad agency Partners of Gothenburg.

It is not known whether Krondahl will be replaced.

No one at Volvo was available for comment as Marketing Week went to press.