Volvo Financial Services UK has appointed Renault Group’s Louise O’Sullivan as its new commercial director.

Former Dacia head of brand, director of network operations and marketing director O’Sullivan succeeds Chris Eady in the post from today (February 1), a statement issued by the VCFSUK revealed.

Established in early 2021 as a 50/50 joint venture between Volvo Cars and Santander Consumer (UK), VCFSUK is the provider of retail and wholesale funding for Volvo Cars’ UK retail network, as well as the performance electric vehicle (EV) brand Polestar and the taxi and light commercial vehicle (LCV) producer The London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC).

Commenting on her appointment, O’Sullivan said: “Volvo Cars, Polestar and LEVC are some of the most exciting and progressive brands on the market, and I am looking forward to helping design and deliver financial services that perfectly address the diverse and changing needs of consumers as they adopt to new vehicle usage and ownership models.”

O'Sullivan was profiled by AM in her role as Dacia UK head of brand in 2019, alluding to its affordable principles as she described it as a “Brexit brand”.

At VCFSUK she takes up the reins from Chris Eady, who joined Volvo six years ago as head of network and distribution strategy, and has led the commercial function at VCFSUK since the company’s inception in 2021.

Agency transition

Earlier this week AM reported on Volvo Car UK’s decision to postpone the roll-out of its agency model retail strategy in the UK – its pilot area for the new distribution strategy – from April to July.

The announcement came in a letter that revealed a number of management changes which UK managing director Kristian Elvefors said had “significantly upweighted resource within the UK DTC project team”.

Today’s press release from VCFSUK also announced Andy Jones’ appointment as national sales manager.

Jones took up his position on January 3 from the VW Group where he was most recently area sales manager for Audi.

In his new role, Andy will work closely with Louise and the entire Volvo retailer network to support the overall finance proposition from VCFSUK and the transition to the new agency model.

Commenting on O’Sullivan’s appointment, VCFSUK managing director Steve Catlin said: “Louise brings great experience and insights to our company at a critical time.

“Our industry is transforming to a new agency model, changing the role played by financial services.

“This calls for leadership in making informed and effective commercial decisions – a quality that Louise has demonstrated superbly.

“I’m sure she will make an invaluable contribution to our work with Volvo Cars, Polestar and LEVC.”