Jeep changes management team | Tilstone named new MD

Jules Tilstone has been appointed managing director of Jeep with immediate effect.

The new management team will also include marketing director, Nicola Austen, and Christian Theobald as regional operations and Jeep sales director.

Tilstone (pictured), who has worked for more than 20 years across Stellantis brands, started his career with the company as commercial manager, developing his career in national fleet and then marketing for Citroën, before moving to DS Automobiles in 2014 to the position of international head of marketing, European commercial director and most recently UK managing director.

He 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.”

Theobald joined the business 27 years ago as a trainee sales exec within the retail business holding many roles up to general manager.

In 2019, he moved to Citroën as head of southern region evolving the role to cover the whole of the UK as head of network sales.

He said: “I’m very excited about this new chapter with Jeep at what is such a great time for the brand off the back of the Car of the Year win for Avenger, now looking forward to working with the Jeep network to realise the full potential that Jeep offers.

“Within this role I also assume responsibility as regional director for the Stellantis mainstream brands in the south-east.”

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.

She moved to head of communications for Jeep in 2020 before stepping up to marketing director earlier this year.

Paul Willcox, group managing director, Stellantis UK, 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.”