Volvo hands DM boss top UK marketing role

Volvo%20S40Volvo has promoted direct marketing chief Anita Fox to its top UK marketing role. She replaces Paul Walder, who has joined the global marketing team in Sweden.

Fox was previously direct marketing manager, and takes on Walder’s former role of head of marketing communications. She reports to UK managing director Stuart Kerr.

Walder becomes global media investment manager, reporting to global head of advertising Tim Ellis, after spending 18 months as the top marketer in the UK.

Volvo split its sales and marketing operations in March last year, following the departure of sales and marketing director Simon Munn (MW March 23, 2006).

Walder, who was previously marketing communications manager, became head of marketing communications, while network and customer services director Nick Connor was made sales and network director.

Kerr joined Volvo UK as managing director at the end of last year to replace Hugh Reid, who left the company. Kerr, who was previously Volvo Cars Overseas president with responsibility for the Southern Hemisphere, was also made regional president for the UK, Ireland and Iceland when he joined Volvo UK.

Volvo appointed Boston-based agency Arnold and London independent Nitro to handle its £80m global advertising account earlier this year, following a five-month review. The two agencies beat Fallon Worldwide in a final pitch to win the business.

A question mark is hanging over the long-term future of Volvo after it was reported last month that Ford was preparing to sell the marque. Ford, which is already selling Jaguar and Land Rover, denies it wants to offload the Swedish brand.