Jaguar Land Rover today (25 May) announced a major restructuring of its marketing, sales, service and PR functions in a move the company stated in a statement was “to meet the changing needs of its global customers”.
Felix Brautigam, chief commercial officer and board member of Jaguar Land Rover is forming a new commercial function with the core functions of customer experience, product marketing, market performance, customer service and planning, addressing the regions of China, North America, UK, Europe and Overseas.
“This restructuring brings key functions together, making us fit for the future and enabling us to delight customers, strengthen our brands, define outstanding products and drive success – success derived from better responding to our customers’ needs that are changing as quickly as the communications landscape is being revolutionized,” stated Brautigam.
“I am certain that these adjustments to the way we do business will better prepare us to face increasing external challenges but also to seize new opportunities as we over-proportionally invest in new products and technologies. In this we are driven by one goal: creating experiences that our customers will love for life.”
Key appointments have been made to lead this new structure, and they will be reporting to Brautigam, effective from 2 July.
Fiona Pargeter, currently global PR communications director, has been appointed to the new position of customer experience director, responsible for all marketing communications, experiential marketing, customer insights and PR.
Jeremy Hicks, currently UK regional director, will be market performance director, leading network development and standards, the Jaguar Land Rover Network Training Academy and all revenue streams, including fleet, business and approved pre-owned vehicle sales.
Hicks will be replaced in the UK by Rawdon Glover, currently global customer service director. Reporting to him, Anthony Bradbury, currently global communications director, will assume the role of UK marketing director.
Richard Shore, currently serving as Jaguar Land Rover China chief financial officer, will take the new position of planning director, responsible for launch and volume planning, strategy and all aspects of the customer journey.
Finbar McFall retains his position as product marketing director, with an increased remit for new business models.
Regional directors will continue to report to Brautigam, however Bob Grace OBE, currently regional operations director for Europe, has announced he will leave the business in the summer. He is being replaced by Dmitry Kolchanov, currently regional director for the Overseas region.
These moves follow last year’s plans to recruit 5,000 staff as Jaguar Land Rover ramped up development of electric and self-driving technology following a record year of sales.