Volkswagen Group UK has named Damien O’Sullivan as its new managing director from December.
O’Sullivan steps into the function following Alex Smith’s departure, who leaves the corporate at his personal request after practically 15 years of service.
O’Sullivan joins Volkswagen Group UK from Volkswagen Group Eire, the place he has served as Audi model director since 2021.
His intensive expertise inside Volkswagen Group spans a collection of worldwide roles, together with vp of supplier growth on the FAW-Volkswagen three way partnership in Changchun, China, and Audi aftersales director on the nationwide gross sales firm in Taiwan.
His early profession started as a credit score analyst at AIB Capital Markets in Dublin, earlier than becoming a member of Volkswagen Group Eire in 2009 as a finance controller and later shifting into gross sales and aftersales roles.
Stefan Specht, chairman of the Volkswagen Group UK Supervisory Board, expressed confidence in O’Sullivan’s appointment:
“I’m delighted that Damien has agreed to tackle this new function as managing director of Volkswagen Group UK, and am assured he’s well-positioned to steer the UK’s greatest automotive group by the numerous adjustments we all know are forward.”
He additionally acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing managing director: “I’d prefer to thank Alex for his dedication and big contribution over the previous six years, and I want him all the very best for the long run.”
Reflecting on his time with the corporate, Alex Smith mentioned, “I’m very pleased with every little thing the crew and the networks have achieved in a interval which has included Brexit, a pandemic, a provide disaster, and the introduction of mass-market electromobility.”
He famous the corporate’s current achievements, with Volkswagen holding the place of the UK’s main passenger automobile model, Audi because the second hottest, and Škoda and Seat/Cupra attaining file market shares this 12 months.
He added: “With Volkswagen Business Automobiles within the quantity two place within the van market, it looks like the fitting time at hand over to Damien to proceed constructing on Volkswagen Group’s market-leading efficiency within the UK.”
