BMW picks ex-Rover boss to head new Mini division

BMW has created a separate division for the Mini brand, headed by former Rover executive Trevor Houghton-Berry.

Houghton-Berry joined BMW in June from Rover, where he was corporate sales manager. He has also held similar positions at Citroën and Mazda.

He will be general manger for the new division, which will have its own marketing and sales team for the Mini brand.

Houghton-Berry will also be in charge of setting up a network of dealers for the Mini brand. A BMW spokesman says these will have a separate identity and may even be located on the high street.

Emma Scammell has been appointed Mini’s marketing manager, reporting to Houghton-Berry. She moves across from BMW’s marketing team.

BMW retained the right to produce the new Mini when it sold Rover to the Phoenix consortium in May. Rover continues to market the old Mini.

BMW’s new Mini Cooper will be launched at the Paris Motor Show later this month. It goes on sale in the UK next summer.

WCRS has been appointed to handle the £10m launch of the new Mini Cooper without a pitch. The agency already handles BMW’s advertising.