Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles announce senior role changes

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced senior role changes 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 assume the role of head of sales operations when the current incumbent, James Douglas, heads to Volkswagen Passenger Cars at the start of June.

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 the Van Centre network.

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 roles including sales, product marketing and planning, and has also worked for Mitsubishi UK.

Taking over from David Hanna as head of aftersales will be current head of planning and supply, James Allitt.

Allitt will assume responsibility for delivering all the brand’s aftersales programmes, including the new All-in product, Van Centre standards, and customer quality and people development.

Allitt 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.

Prior to joining the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand, Allitt spent over ten years with the Audi brand.

Volkswagen UK recently appointed Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK’s James Douglas as its new head of sales operations.

Head of fleet, Claire English, will be leaving Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to take up the head of fleet role at Audi UK.

English will depart on July 12.

Her successor and a new head of planning and supply are currently being recruited, with announcements of the new appointments to be made in due course, said Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Cian O’Brien, director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, 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.”