David Hanna, head of aftersales at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, is to replace James Douglas as the brand’s new head of sales as part of a number of changes to the senior management team.
Hanna will take up the role at the start of June when James Douglas moves to become head of sales operations at Volkswagen Passenger Cars.
Hanna first joined Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in October 2017 as head of fleet but he’s been with the Volkswagen Group since 2014, initially with Audi. Prior to that, he worked at Nissan in a variety of roles including sales, product marketing and planning, and 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 also the dedicated Van Centre network.
He will be succeeded as head of aftersales by James Allitt, current head of planning and supply. Allitt 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 this, he spent over 10 years with brand.
As head of aftersales, Allitt will be responsible for delivering all the brand’s aftersales programmes, including the new All-in product, Van Centre standards, and customer quality and people development.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also confirmed that head of fleet Claire English is moving to head up the Audi UK fleet department from 12 July. Her successor, as well as a new head of planning and supply, are being recruited now and announcements are due shortly.
Cian O’Brien, director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, 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.
“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.”
