DaimlerChrysler has announced the appointment of Ian Dutfield to the position of marketing director Mercedes Car Group. Dutfield, who has been with the company since April 1985 when he joined as a technical adviser, will begin in the role on December 1.

Joe McLaughlin and Malcolm Banner have been appointed as divisional managers as part of Nationwide Crash Repair Centres’ internal management structure. Michael Wilmshurst, chief executive at Nationwide, says: “Although the divisions will be referred to as north and south, Joe and Malcolm will be working very closely together as we continue to pursue our strategy of growth.”

Kevin Skeats has been appointed as service manager at Hendy Ford’s van and truck centre. Skeats began his career as a 16-year-old apprentice at Hendy’s 27 years ago. He will now oversee 40 staff, including 22 technicians and six apprentices.

Peter Butler is the new manager of the VW Academy in Milton Keynes. Butler has spent 18 years working in the motor industry, with the last 11 spent at Toyota, where he headed the European Academy in Belgium.

Felix Cole has been appointed business manager at Mercedes-Benz of Redhill. Having spent the last four years with Nissan, he has previous experience with Mercedes-Benz in Tooting and sold retail credit facilities with Citibank Trust before entering the retailer network.

If you have a personnel story of interest to AM readers, email: tim.rose@emap.com