Bridgestone, Hankook tire execs reshuffle in UK

London – The past week has seen a number of top management changes at the UK subsidiaries of Bridgestone and Hankook, with one senior executive switching back to his former employer.

On 17 Nov, Bridgestone announced two senior management appointments within its consumer and commercial sales sectors.

On the consumer side, Bridgestone welcomed back Brett Emerson, who will take on the role of consumer business unit director, north region.

Emerson had previously been a sales director at the Warwick-based Bridgestone from 2002 to 2014. He was also, up until recently, managing director of Hankook Tyre UK

Greg Ward has been appointed as north region commercial business unit director, replacing  John Folliss, who is retiring after 24 years at the company . 

Ward has served as the company’s commercial sales director, UK and Ireland, for the past 17 years.

His promotion “represents part of Bridgestone’s succession planning after overseeing an unprecedented period of growth for the commercial team, the company said.

Meanwhile, Hankook Tire has appointed Chang Yool Han as managing director of the UK effective from 1 Oct the Korean tire maker has announced. 

Han has extensive knowledge in sales and marketing as well as several years’ experience in the European market, said a company statement issued 17 Oct. 

Prior to his new role at the Daventry-based subsidiary, he worked in the global marketing strategy team of the Hankook Tire & Technology Group in Seoul.

In addition, he has expertise in logistics with a focus on supply-chain management as well as business experience from roles at Hankook’s European HQ and subsequently its German subsidiary.

Han “has in-depth knowledge in both the tire business as well as the European market and can further develop our brand… in the UK.”, said Han-Jun Kim, president of Hankook Tire Europe.