Volvo UK marketing head quits in restructure

Volvo’s restructure of its marketing, which is being centralised across Europe, has triggered the departure of UK head of marketing Sarah Buckle.

Buckle has opted to leave the company because her role after the restructure would have involved more travel.

Under the terms of the restructure, Volvo is clustering marketing departments in each European country. Volvo’s UK marketing department will be included in the Benelux division. Italy, Spain and France will merge into one unit, and Germany and Sweden will remain separate.

The changes follow Ford’s acquisition of the company last year, and the subsequent formation of the Premier Automotive Group, which is made up of Volvo, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Lincoln.

Volvo advertising manager Michelle May has been acting in Buckle’s role temporarily, but it is not known what the position will be in the new structure.

Buckle, former marketing communications manager, was the main contact for UK creative agency Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO and media agency New PHD.

She reported to Hugh Reid, Volvo’s director of sales and marketing.

Reid, has been in his role for six months following Malcolm Wade’s defection to Rolls-Royce last July. However, it was Buckle who had main responsibility for the &£25m ad budget.

Volvo’s UK agency AMV lost out last year when it was knocked-off the global roster. Forsman Bodenfors in Sweden was given lead agency status across Europe. Most work for Volvo UK is now adapted from work by the Swedish agency.

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