Simon Thomas has been appointed managing director of Volkswagen Group UK effective September 1, 2011.

He succeeds Robin Woolcock, who will be taking up a new, unknown assignment within the Volkswagen Group.

Thomas started his career with Austin Rover Group in 1984, working in a variety of roles in sales, service and the fleet business.

In 1991 Thomas joined Nissan, where he held various posts in sales and marketing before becoming marketing director for Nissan UK in 2000.

He then moved to more senior roles in sales and marketing in Canada and Europe before being appointed senior vice president, sales and marketing Europe, with Nissan in 2009.

Woolcock has been with Volkswagen Group UK for 23 years, initially as managing director of MAN-Volkswagen UK. He then became brand head of Škoda and Volkswagen Passenger Cars in the UK.

Woolcock was appointed managing director of Volkswagen Group UK in 2000.