Rod McLeod, the former head of Skoda in the UK, is to become the new director of Volkswagen UK, effective Jan. 2, 2022.

Having steered Skoda for over four years to new record market share levels, a strong fleet presence, and the introduction of electric models to the brand, McLeod takes over the main Volkswagen job from current director,  Andrew Savvas.

Savvas, meantime, takes up a new role with Volkswagen of America as executive vice president of sales and marketing, Volkswagen brand, and chief sales and marketing officer, North American Region.

“Volkswagen has transformed itself in recent years into the leading volume brand for e-mobility, digitalisation and sustainability," McLeod said on his new appointment.

“Its award-winning electric cars the ID.3 and ID.4 are spearheading an exciting and transformative shift in the automotive landscape, and I am really looking forward to working with the UK team as we accelerate that dramatic change. It is an incredibly exciting time to re-join the Volkswagen brand.”

McLeod is no stranger to the brand, having joined the company in 1996 and held a series of executive positions such as head of marketing and head of sales operations before joining Skoda.

Volkswagen Group UK managing director, Alex Smith, added: “Rod’s expertise and wide-ranging experience across the whole business will prove invaluable as Volkswagen takes the lead in the fields of electric vehicles, digital capability, carbon-neutrality and autonomous driving technology. I can think of nobody better to lead the brand during this dynamic and fast-paced time."

Ensuring all the pieces in the executive jigsaw puzzle at the Volkswagen Group are in place, Matthew Bowden will take over McLeod’s old role as director of Skoda UK effective February 01, 2022.

Bowden returns to Volkswagen Group UK after three years as VP of sales at the joint venture FAW-VW in Changchun, China, a position he has held since 2018. Prior to his time in China, he was head of planning for Volkswagen UK.