TVR marketing chief quits after six months

TVR, the Lancashire sports car maker with international expansion plans following its &£15m takeover by Russian millionaire Nikolai Smolenski, has parted company with marketing chief Phil James less than six months after he was appointed.

James joined TVR as its first full-time marketer earlier this year (MW April 7), but has left along with managing director Ben Samuelson.

It is not known whether he will be replaced directly, but it is understood that Ian Law is overseeing marketing at the company. Samuelson has been replaced by David Oxley, who was formerly production director.

TVR launched a strategic review after it was bought by Smolenski last year (MW August 5, 2004), stating its intention to increase production and marketing activity, as well as try to widen the availability of the brand.

The company had operated without full-time marketing staff and did not use advertising or direct marketing. But Smolenski began investing heavily to take TVR onto the world stage and started overseas testing programmes.