Nissan loses global head of Infiniti brand

MADRID, March 12 (Reuters) - Japan's Nissan Motor Co (7201.T: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday the global head of its high-end Infiniti brand and chief of the automaker's North American sales and marketing operations, has resigned.

Mark McNabb took UP his post in North America less than nine months ago after the departure of Brad Bradshaw. McNabb will be replaced by Brian Carolin, currently head of sales and marketing for Nissan Europe, on April 1.

Nissan, Japan's third-biggest automaker held 44 percent by Renault SA (RENA.PA: Quote, Profile, Research), has suffered an exodus of staff -- high-ranking and otherwise -- since it moved its North American headquarters to Nashville, Tennessee from California in 2006.

Automotive News said in a news alert that McNabb was due to join an undisclosed Detroit carmaker.

Rival Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research) has also lost a few high-profile executives to Chrysler and Ford Motor Co (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research).

Carolin joined Nissan in 1984 in Britain, and had been charged with launching the Infiniti brand across Europe this year.

Nissan said in a separate statement that it would split Carolin's current position -- senior vice president of sales and marketing for Europe -- in two.

Simon Thomas, now vice president of European sales, will be promoted to senior vice president of sales and marketing for Western Europe. Toru Saito, managing director for the region comprising Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, will become SVP of Eastern European sales operations. (Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by David Cowell)