OREANDA-NEWS. GM Design announced several changes to its global leadership team designed to increase the emphasis on the company’s vehicle brands, including Opel and Buick.

The new Global Design structure will further enhance the focus on joint strategies, theme development and innovation.

“I am confident that this alignment will continue to unite our global team around its passion for designing vehicles that make an emotional connection with customers - and our mission that every new product we develop has to be a great vehicle,” said Ed Welburn, vice president, Global Design.

The changes take effect Sept. 1. The GM Design employees receiving new assignments are:

Mark Adams, currently executive director, Global Cadillac and Buick Design and GME vice president, Design, will return to Germany and assume the position of GME vice president, Design, and champion for Opel/Buick brand strategies and design language.

Andrew Smith, currently design director, Holden Design, will be promoted to executive director, Global Cadillac and Buick Design, replacing Mark Adams. Smith will be the champion for the Cadillac brand and will lead the Global Color and Trim team. He will be based in Warren, Mich.

Ken Parkinson, currently executive director, Global Chevrolet and GMC Design, will be executive director, Global Chevrolet Design and Architecture. Parkinson will be the champion for the Chevrolet brand.

Helen Emsley, currently design director, Interior Full-Size Truck and Performance Car, will be promoted to executive director, Global GMC Design and User Experience. Emsley will be the champion for the GMC brand.

John Puskar, currently design director, Global Color & Trim, will replace Emsley as design director, Interior Full-Size Truck and Performance Car.

Sharon Gauci, currently design manager, Buick Color & Trim, will be promoted to the position of design director, Global Color and Trim, replacing Puskar.

Clay Dean, director, Global Advanced Design, will continue to lead Advanced Design in North America. He will also be the champion for Advanced Design activities globally.

The first and largest global automotive OEM design function, General Motors Design has a network of 10 Design Centers in seven countries around the world. More than 2,000 men and women are responsible for the design development of every GM concept and production car and truck globally. The Design Centers are located in the United States, Germany, Korea, China, Australia, Brazil and India. GM Design is led by Ed Welburn, vice president, Global Design. Welburn is just the sixth Design leader in GM history and the first to lead all of the company’s Global Design Centers. GM Design was established in 1927 as ‘The Art and Colour Section’ by the legendary Harley Earl, and celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2012.