Aston's New Director of Business Development

Not sure his timing is that great. Talk about walking into a difficult situation.

Official Announcement:

Aston Martin Lagonda appoints new Director of Business
Development
Gaydon, October 19, 2008 – Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is
pleased to announce that it has appointed Philipp Grosse Kleimann
into the newly created position of Director of Business Development
based at the company’s headquarters in Gaydon, United Kingdom.
Philipp Grosse Kleimann will report to Dr. Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive
Officer, Aston Martin, and will be part of the company’s Executive
Board of Management.
In his role as Director of Business Development Philipp Grosse Kleimann will oversee all
future business growth opportunities of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited, including the
development of its global dealer network.
His responsibilities further include the commercial side of the revival of Lagonda: developing
the brand and its new corporate identity, building up the product marketing as well as
designing the retail distribution model.
Dr. Ulrich Bez commented: “Philipp’s broad and successful experience within the premium
automotive industry will help us to launch the Lagonda brand internationally with new dealers
into more than 100 countries in the world.“ Bez added: “The Lagonda brand will allow us to
develop cars which can have a different character than a sports car and therefore offer a
perfect synergy to Aston Martin; allowing us to diversify and further strengthen our business
for the long-term.
“
Philipp Grosse Kleimann, 38, joins Aston Martin Lagonda after 13 years with Daimler where
he worked in a range of senior management roles in Marketing, Investor Relations and After-
Sales for Mercedes-Benz, Smart and Maybach.