Arrows F1 hires first head since sudden exit of top team

The motor-racing team Arrows Formula One has recruited its first head of marketing following the sudden exit of its top management team.

Huw Morgan, former commercial director at Harlequins Rugby Club, takes up the role this week – joining newly-recruited head of licensing and merchandising Lisa McGrath.

The appointments come hot on the heels of last month’s departure of chief executive Keith Shepherd and chief financial officer Chris Hicks – who only joined in November.

They were previously involved in the management buyout of Rank Screen Advertising, which became Carlton Screen Advertising. It is not known whether they have jobs to go to. Team-owner Tom Walkinshaw retains overall control of the operation, while Morgan will take over some of Shepherd’s commercial responsibilities.

The company is keen to expand its global marketing programme through sponsorship, hospitality and promotions.

Earlier this year, it negotiated one of the industry’s most lucrative headline sponsorship deals when it signed up mobile phone company Orange for a &£70m three-year contract.

At the time, many observers were surprised by the scale of the deal, given the team’s poor performance. Last year, it only secured one point in the drivers’ championship and speculation is mounting that the team is up for sale.

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