FT fills newly created EMEA marketing director position

The Financial Times has appointed long-serving marketer Gill Hart to the new post of marketing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).The appointment is the top marketing role overseeing the UK and follows a restructure which saw the board position of global marketing director, held by Gordon Willoughby, axed (MW last week).

Hart was previously marketing and operations director for continental Europe and the rest of the world (Cerow) – but excluding the US, which is overseen by vice-president of marketing Elissa Thomasetti.

The UK and Cerow regions have now been merged and the position does not carry a board seat. Hart reports to newly appointed managing director for EMEA Zach Leonard.

Hart has been with the FT group for 18 years and her previous titles have included European marketing manager and European director of marketing and customer services.

Hart will have responsibility for agency appointments and will review the marketing structure for the UK, but she is not expected to appoint a UK marketing director. Former UK marketing director Tim Ward announced in May that he would be leaving to join Friends Reunited (MW May 22).

The newspaper’s advertising account is handled by Delaney Lund Knox Warren, while media planning and buying is carried out by BJK&E Media.

The FT recently overhauled its design and some of its sections, introducing a glossy Saturday magazine. The revamp has been backed by a £2m advertising campaign using the strapline “New FT, New Comment”.