FCA Group UK managing director Arnaud Leclerc is set to assume the position of head of Alfa Romeo, for Europe, Middle East and Africa alongside his existing role.

Leclerc succeeds Alberto Cavaggioni and will oversee operations for all Alfa Romeo functions within the region in his new position, reporting directly to FCA’s chief operating officer for EMEA, Pietro Gorlier, and the global head of Alfa Romeo Tim Kuniskis.

Leclerc replaced current Hyundai UK managing director Ashley Andrew at FCA in January 2018 having held roles as deputy director general at the PSA Group in the UK and as DS brand development director in the UK.

Commenting on his promotion with Alfa Romeo, Leclerc said: “I am delighted to take on the responsibility for such a well-loved and respected brand as Alfa Romeo here in EMEA.

“This year marks the 110th anniversary of Alfa Romeo and to celebrate we unveiled the rebirth of an icon, the GTA. 

“Next year promises to be even more exciting as we launch the Alfa Romeo Tonale and put the limited number of GTA and GTA models into the hands of some very fortunate customers.”

He added: “Of course I am still very much focussed on my role as managing director for UK and Ireland and, during these particularly challenging times for everyone, I am working with my management team, retailers and suppliers on a daily basis to ensure we are ready to assist our customers as much as we can.”

In January FCA appointed new heads of country on its senior management team for Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Abarth.

Damien Dally returned to the OEM as country manager for Alfa Romeo and Jeep, while Francesco Vanni has been appointed as country manager for Fiat and Abarth.

Both report in to Leclerc.

Leclerc described FCA as a “challenger brand” in the UK in an interview with AM last year.

Speaking to the magazine after a period of consistent registrations decline for its brands – Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jeep and Maserati – Leclerc said: “In the UK, it has been very much a period of building strong foundations to enable us to further build strong brands.

“When I joined, I realised straight away that the focus had to be on customer experience. It was clearly something that we needed to emphasise within the FCA brands and really try and compete in the premium environment.

“We must trust the network to deliver that experience.”