Volkswagen US has appointed Skoda UK brand director Duncan Movassaghi as its new senior vice president of sales - sparking changes within the Volkswagen Group's UK leadership teams.

Movassaghi will take up his new post within the Volkswagen Group on February 1, joining the brand less than a month after former Volkswagen US senior vice president of sales, Ron Stach, left to “pursue other career opportunities”, a statement revealed.

An AM interview with Movassaghi features in the current (January 2018) edition of the magazine, in which he details his hopes for Skoda in the UK.

The former head of service and parts operations for Volkswagen Passenger Cars UK joined the brand in 2010 after holding a number of senior management roles within the pharmaceutical retail and banking sectors.

Rod McLeod will take up the post of Skoda UK brand director from February 1, assuming the role from his current position as head of sales operations, Volkswagen Passenger Cars.

Former Peter Vardy sales and marketing director, Patrick McGillycuddy, will take up McLeod’s former post at Volkswagen UK, meanwhile.

McLeod said: “The development of the Skoda brand over the past few years has been extremely impressive, and with the recent launches of the new Karoq and Kodiaq, it has a strong and enviable model line-up.

“I am really looking forward to working with the UK team and all dealer partners to continue the momentum.”

Volkswagen Group UK managing director, Paul Willis, added: “Rod’s expertise and wide-ranging experience will prove invaluable as Skoda readies itself for the next phase of its substantial growth plans.

“I would like to thank Duncan for leading Skoda over the past two years. His guidance and direction have proved pivotal in the successful repositioning of the brand, and the increased sales and record-breaking market share that have followed.”

Incoming head of sales operations, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, McGillycuddy, joins Volkswagen following periods with Chevrolet, Vauxhall and Peter Vardy.

In 2013, he joined Skoda as head of fleet and most recently worked in a strategic role for Volkswagen Group UK.

He said: “I’m really excited to be joining Volkswagen at such a vibrant time. The brand has just moved into second place in the UK new car sales chart, driven by the most intense product offensive in its history. And our retailer network has also played a huge part, delivering a future oriented customer experience and ever-improving service. I am looking forward to working with our network, especially as we prepare for the launch of the pure electric I.D. range in 2020.”

Alison Jones, director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Patrick to the Volkswagen team in this highly important role.

“He will bring with him an impressive amount of industry experience both to the sales operations and as a member of the senior management team.

“This year is set to be another exciting one for Volkswagen in the UK with more really desirable new cars joining our already very strong line-up.”