Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles names new head of sales

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced changes to its senior management team to prepare for a “new era” of electrification and a focus on retail.

David Hanna, leaves his role of head of aftersales to replace James Douglas as head of sales operations, who will be joining Volkswagen Passenger Cars at the start of June. 

Hanna’s first role in the Volkswagen Group was with Audi UK; he joined Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in October 2017 as head of fleet.

Prior to starting at Audi in 2014, he worked at Nissan in a variety of roles including sales, product marketing and planning. He has also worked for Mitsubishi UK.

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 dedicated Van Centre network.

The current head of planning and supply, James Allitt, has been named as Hanna’s successor as the new head of aftersales.

He 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 more than 10 years with Audi.

As head of aftersales he will be responsible for delivering the brand’s aftersales programmes, including the new All-in product, Van Centre standards, and customer quality and people development.

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

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

He continued: “We are sorry to be losing James and Claire but thank them for their valuable and long-lasting contributions and wish them all the best in their new roles.”

Hanna and Allitt will take up their new positions from June 1; English will depart on July 12. Her successor and a new head of planning and supply are being recruited now, with announcements of the new appointments made in due course.