Acushnet is once again posting very impressive worldwide sales figures in 2004 across all four of its market leading brands and the European operation is making a healthy contribution to those numbers. Over the last quarter of a century, Acushnet Europe Ltd, under the guidance of Graham Guy, has consistently managed the growth efficiently, maintaining award-winning levels of service for its customers throughout. Cobra’s emergence as the #1 driver in the UK, added to the clear leadership positions held by Titleist, FootJoy and Pinnacle in the premium ball, shoe, glove and value ball markets respectively*, has resulted in additional management positions being created to handle the four market leading brands in the Acushnet portfolio.
The new structure has been gradually rolled out over the last few months and includes two new multi-brand director level appointments. Robin Newbery takes over as Group Financial Director and Jill Jones promoted to Director of Human Resources. Robin has vast experience with pan-European finance having worked for a division of Clarks shoes for six years while Jill’s promotion comes after heading up Acushnet’s HR function successfully for six years.
With the individual brands going from strength to strength a new management structure has been put in place on the product and marketing communications side of the business to allow for a more brand specific focus. At Senior Director level, Jeremy Baldwin has been appointed FootJoy’s Director of Product Development to focus exclusively on the largely European-specific shoe, glove and outerwear ranges following six successful years in a similar multi-brand position. Richard Temple has been promoted to Titleist and Cobra Product Manager.
Titleist and FootJoy’s tour presence forms a cornerstone of the marketing strategy and Jonathan Loosemore has been recognized for his efforts in this field with a promotion to Titleist and FootJoy’s Manager of Leadership Promotions. Meanwhile, as the Cobra sales boom continues to gather pace, the Cobra UK sales team has been expanded with the appointment of Steve Amps, formerly Acushnet Golf’s Production Manager for Club Assembly as Cobra Area Sales Manager for the Midlands, and new recruit David Wallace joins Acushnet from Glaxo Smith Kline, taking over as Cobra Area Sales Manager for the Scotland territory.
In the marketing department, Kate Brewer has been promoted to Cobra Marketing Co-ordinator in addition to special responsibilities for websites, while David Richards has joined the company as FootJoy Marketing Co-ordinator.
Graham Guy, Acushnet’s Senior Vice-President for Europe is delighted with the promotions and new appointments in view of the excellent progress all the Acushnet brands are making, “With four major brands in our portfolio, we pride ourselves on being able to deliver a comprehensive range of quality equipment across all the main product sectors, and these new additions to our team underline our commitment to continued growth across the board.”
Cobra www.cobragolf.co.uk
FootJoy www.footjoy.co.uk
Pinnacle www.pinnaclegolf.com
Titleist www.titleist.co.uk
New appointments as Acushnet gears up for more growth
