Nissan Appoints New Communications Director

MAPLE CROSS, UNITED KINGDOM – October 18, 2010: Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd has announced changes to its PR team.

Tom Barnard, formerly Public Relations Manager for Hyundai Cars UK, is appointed Communications Director, replacing Gabi Whitfield.

Tom joins Nissan with over 13 years experience in the motor industry. He started his career as a motoring journalist on an industry newspaper before moving onto the weekly motoring magazine Auto Express. After eight years he rose to be Executive Editor, before he swapped over to PR at Vauxhall and GM. Three years later he took over as head of PR at Hyundai.

This year alone he has won awards for his scrappage PR campaign and product launches. Two weeks ago Tom was voted the best PR in the motor industry in a poll of journalists.

Commenting on his new position, Barnard said: “Nissan is an exciting company for anyone who loves the motor industry. It has an enormous and diverse range of products, a UK manufacturing and engineering base and is at the cutting edge of technology. I’m looking forward to telling everyone about it.”

Gabi Whitfield, formerly UK Communications Director, is appointed GM Communications Europe. In her new role, Gabi will be responsible for product and design and technology communications across Europe. Gabi will continue to be based in the UK.

Both Tom and Gabi start their new positions on 1 November 2010.