Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced a number of changes in senior roles, with the brand poised to begin a new era of electrification and retail focus with the forthcoming arrival of new models.
David Hanna, currently Head of Aftersales, will take up the role of Head of Sales Operations when the current incumbent, James Douglas, heads to Volkswagen Passenger Cars at the start of June.
Hanna’s first role in the Volkswagen Group was with Audi UK, and he joined Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in October 2017 as Head of Fleet. Prior to starting at Audi in 2014, he worked at Nissan in a variety of roles including sales, product marketing and planning, and he has also worked for Mitsubishi UK.
In his new role, Hanna will be responsible for defining and delivering all sales programmes for the brand, as well as conversions and specialist sales, and also the dedicated Van Centre network.
Taking over from David Hanna as Head of Aftersales will be current Head of Planning and Supply, James Allitt. He has led the planning function for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for the past four years, following a period heading up the brand’s customer quality and network development teams, and has actively contributed to the success of the brand by ensuring the right vehicles are available to the right customers at the right time. Prior to joining the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand, Allitt spent over ten years with the Audi brand.
As Head of Aftersales he will be responsible for delivering all the brand’s aftersales programmes, including the new groundbreaking All-in product, Van Centre standards, and customer quality and people development.
Head of Fleet, Claire English, will be leaving Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to take up the Head of Fleet role in the Audi UK brand. Since arriving at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles two years ago, English has been pivotal in introducing change and driving improvement in the fleet side of the business.
Commenting on the changes, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Cian O’Brien, said: “These new appointments ensure we as a brand are ready to look after our current customers as well as new groups we will attract in future with the launches of the Caravelle replacement, ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo as well as the all-new Amarok. For commercial vehicle customers in particular, sales and aftersales go hand in hand so it’s great to keep knowledge within the brand, while allowing individuals to develop their careers.
“We are sorry to be losing James and Claire, but thank them for their valuable and long-lasting contributions and wish them all the best in their new roles.”
David Hanna and James Allitt will take up their new positions from 1 June; Claire English will depart on 12 July. Her successor and a new Head of Planning and Supply are being recruited now, with announcements of the new appointments made in due course.
SOURCE: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
