Smart recruits recent UK CEO as Mercedes appoints recent sales director

Smart UK has appointed Louise O’Sullivan as its recent chief executive, taking over the role effective from February 1.

O’Sullivan replaces Jason Allbutt, who’s returning to Mercedes-Benz as sales director after two years as Smart UK CEO.

O’Sullivan brings greater than 25 years’ experience across marketing, industrial strategy, network operations and automotive financial services.

She joins smart UK from Volvo Automobile Financial Services UK, where she most recently served as deputy managing director and industrial director.

In that role, she led industrial transformation, supported the transition to agency models and played a senior role in governance and leadership.

Earlier in her profession, O’Sullivan was an executive director at Renault Group UK, holding positions including marketing director and network operations director.

She was answerable for multi-brand strategy, electric vehicle programmes and dealer network performance across the UK and wider Northern Territory.

O’Sullivan said. “Smart goes from strength to strength, with an award-winning model range and the upcoming introduction of the brand new #2.

“I stay up for leading the corporate’s continued growth within the UK through the years to come back.”

Smart has only teased its recent #2 electric city automotive, but is expanding its range within the UK, with the #5 launched in October last 12 months.

Agency model experience

As regards to Allbutt’s return to Mercedes-Benz, Olivier Reppert, chief executive and managing director, Mercedes-Benz UK, said: “Jason has considerable experience and a transparent understanding of the Mercedes-Benz UK business and our sales network under the agency model, which he helped introduce.

“I’m very much looking forward to working closely with Jason, alongside our network partners, to further strengthen our UK sales success.”

Allbutt said (pictured above left): “It’s truly exciting to return to the brand where I started my profession, especially as we rejoice 140 years of innovation.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with the entire team, and our network partners, to drive sales of our incredible product line-up and construct on our position available in the market.”