V Shop merger sparks second senior’s exit

V Shop’s development director Neil Boote has left as a result of Virgin’s decision to merge parts of V Shop and Virgin Megastores’ marketing operations.

Boote is the second high-profile member of V Shop to leave the business – brand director Brian Waring left in November (MW November 5, 2001). It is not known whether Boote has a job to go to.

Under the new structure, Virgin Megastores head of retail marketing Kerry Lee will become head of retail marketing for Virgin Megastores and V Shop. Virgin Megastores commercial director Steve Kincaid becomes commercial director of Virgin Megastores and V Shop, effectively replacing Boote, who was promoted from commercial director in July last year. Zoe Bartels, who was brought in as V Shop’s head of product marketing in August, becomes head of new media for Virgin Megastores and V Shop.

However, Virgin claims each company will continue to have separate managing directors – Andy Randall for Virgin Megastores and Chris Ash for V Shop.

Virgin says it is looking for a replacement for Waring. Virgin Megastores’ brand director Andy Kendrick is currently unaffected by the changes, although the restructure is not complete.