Jeep UK has revealed the new management that will be led by new MD Jules Tilstone following a group-wide reshuffle at Stellantis UK.
Former Alfa Romeo communications manager and Jeep head of fleet Nicola Austen is now marketing director at the 4×4 brand, with Citroen head of sales Christian Theobald becoming regional operations and Jeep sales director.
Tilstone’s move from his previous position as managing director of the DS Automobiles brand was confirmed alongside Stellantis UK’s bold network restructuring plan late last year.
Stellantis’ restructure will include the loss of 138 of its 918 franchised UK sales points as part of its transition to agency model retail, which is now set to get underway in January 2024.
Commenting on his new role as Jeep UK managing director Tilstone, who was profiled by AM in his role with DS last year, said: “It is a great privilege to take on the role of managing director for Jeep, a brand I have much admired over the years and has an exciting future ahead with an array of new products – our first new all-electric product, Avenger, has just been awarded the European Car of The Year trophy which is a remarkable achievement and testament to the Jeep team.”
Tilstone started his career with the PSA Group as a commercial manager, developing his career in fleet and marketing for Citroën before moving to DS Automobiles in 2014.
At DS he was international head of marketing and European commercial director before taking up the role of UK managing director.
Stellantis UK group managing director Paul Willcox said: “I am delighted to congratulate Jules on his new appointment as Managing Director for the UK operations of Jeep.
“Jules has the exciting task of leading the UK business as it creates and prepares for its next milestone – the electric Jeep company.”
Tilstone will head a team aiming to grow Jeep’s UK new car registrations following a 43.4% decline, to 2,525 units (2021: 4,463), in 2022.
Theobald joined the business 27 years ago as a trainee sales executive, gaining promotions that led him to the post of general manager.
He moved to Citroën as head of Southern Region in 2019, later becoming head of network Sales.
Theobald said he was “very excited” to be joining Jeep, but revealed that his new position extended into other brands.
“Within this role I also assume responsibility as Regional Director for the Stellantis Mainstream Brands in the South East,” he said.
Austen joined Alfa Romeo as brand communications manager in 2015, adding Jeep to her role in 2015 before moving to head up fleet sales in 2019.
In 2020 she became head of communications for Jeep before her promotion to marketing director earlier this year.
Austen said: “The public response to the new Avenger has been so very encouraging, we’ve seen what’s coming down the Jeep pipeline and it’s so exciting and provides us with many opportunities to create new and electrifying campaigns.”