Wheldon says he’ll remain at Vodafone

Vodafone’s global brand chief David Wheldon has committed his future to Vodafone amid rumours that he is about to leave following the appointment of Frank Rovekamp as chief marketing officer to replace Peter Bamford.

He also insists agencies will not be affected by the marketing review at the company. In an exclusive interview, he says: “We have looked very hard at all our resources and we are very happy with our agencies. What we are doing is a review of the role of marketing within the company and that should be concluded by the end of April.”

He adds of his own position: “I am highly focused and happy about what’s happening.”

Bartle Bogle Hegarty is Vodafone’s lead creative agency, with JWT serving as its network.

The company’s roster also includes OMD, RMG Connect, Harrison Troughton Wunderman and Partners Andrews Aldridge.

Rovekamp, who was handling Bamford’s duties in the interim, has been appointed chief marketing officer as part of a restructure announced by under-fire chief executive Arun Sarin.

The restructure sees the creation of three new business units that could lead to Vodafone entering the fixed-line and broadband markets.

Former Japanese chief Bill Morrow will head Vodafone Europe, Paul Donovan will run the rest of the world division and Thomas Geitner has been appointed to lead new business and innovation. Vodafone UK chief Tim Miles has been made chief technology officer as part of the shake-up. He will be replaced by Nick Read.