Volvo fills MD role with former UK sales chief

Volvo has promoted Hugh Reid as managing director, following his predecessor Gerry Keaney’s promotion to head global sales.

Reid, who moves from his position as dealer development director at the car company, was formerly UK sales and marketing director. He also takes on the responsibility of regional director for Volvo’s Benelux region.

Keaney has been made vicepresident of global sales and will be based at the company’s Swedish headquarters. He was sales and marketing chief for Volvo UK until 1996, when he was promoted to chief operating officer.

Abbott Mead Vickers.BDDO handles Volvo UK’s advertising business. However, the bulk of the company’s £16m advertising budget is handled by MVBMS Fuel Europe, after the agency was awarded the business across Europe just over two years ago (MW July 13, 2000).

Volvo was acquired by Ford in 1999 and is part of its Premier Automotive Group, which houses all Ford’s luxury brands, including Land Rover, Aston Martin and Jaguar.

In April, Volvo Cars appointed Simon Munn, who was its managing director in Japan, as head of European marketing operations. He replaced Bernard Bradley, who left the company in January to become general manager of corporate sales at BMW (MW January 17).