Volkswagen Group has rolled-out a new leadership structure across its five brands with direct sales roles introduced to reflect its move to an agency model for selling cars and commercial vehicles in the UK.

Many of the organisational changes were introduced in August and apply to Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Seat/Cupra, Škoda and Audi and see fleet sales for all of the brands now sit under the direct sales teams, AM’s sister title Fleet News reported.

Owen Shepherd becomes head of direct sales for Volkswagen Cars, with David Hanna his counterpart a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

James Jetten becomes head of direct sales for Seat/Cupra; Nick O’Neil, head of direct sales for Škoda; and Bal Ahir, interim head of direct sales, Audi (to December 2022), with Warren Richards replacing Ahir from January 1, 2023.

The franchise model continues for the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to private individuals, and has seen two more key appointments: Rob Holdcroft, head of network sales for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Claire English, head of network sales for Seat/Cupra.