Movers and shakers: the latest job moves in the car industry

Sjoerd Knipping (above, left), the new COO, has been promoted from his previous role as vice-president of product and marketing.

He has spent more than 25 years working in the European automotive industry, having held several senior roles at Kia and Ford.

Replacing Knipping as the vice-president of product and marketing is Pablo Martinez Masip (above, right), who has been Kia's global VP for customer experience since 2021.

"Going forward, our strong team supported by these executives will continue to move our bold transformation process to be a sustainable mobility solutions provider with a focus on our people and our customers," said Marc Hedrich, president and CEO of Kia Europe.

Name: Christian Meunier

Company: Nissan

Role: Chairperson of the management committee for the Americas

Former CEO of Jeep Christian Meunier has been named the new chairman of Nissan's management committee in the Americas.

He will report directly to Nissan's new chief performance officer, Guillaume Cartier, who was appointed to right the ship after the firm's operating profits dropped by 90% during the first half of its 2024 financial year.

Challenges facing Meunier include the threat of a 25% tariff on its cars exported into the US from Mexico, as well as a profitability slide that was in part caused by liberal discounting in the region.

He spent 17 years with Nissan (between 2002 and 2019) before taking the top job at Jeep. He left the American manufacturer in October 2023 to "take a long break to focus on personal interests", according to an official Stellantis statement.

Name: Damien O'Sullivan

Company: VW Group UK

Role: Managing director

Volkswagen Group UK has named Damien O'Sullivan as its new managing director, with Alex Smith leaving after six years at the helm. 

O'Sullivan will take the top job in Milton Keynes on 1 December, having run Audi in Ireland for the past three years. Prior to that, he spent time in various positions within the VW Group in China and Taiwan, having joined the company's sales division in 2009.

Smith, who has been with the VW Group UK for nearly 15 years, is leaving the company "at his own request", according to an official statement. 

His tenure as VW Group UK MD has coincided with one of the most turbulent and disruptive periods in automotive history, but he leaves the company in a strong position ahead of a transformative few years in which each of its brands are planning to launch crucial new models to the UK market.

"I’m very proud of everything the team and the networks have achieved in a period which has included Brexit, a pandemic, a supply crisis and the introduction of mass-market electromobility," said Smith. 

"With Volkswagen the UK’s number one passenger car brand, Audi at number two and both Skoda and Seat/Cupra achieving record market shares so far this year, as well as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in number two position in the van market, it feels like the right time to hand over to Damien to continue building on Volkswagen Group’s market leading performance in the UK."

Name: Xavier Martinet

Company: Hyundai Europe

Role: President and CEO

Dacia marketing chief Xavier Martinet will become the next president and CEO of Hyundai Europe.

Martinet replaces Michael Cole, who is retiring at the end of this year after four years in the top job.

Cole, who has been with the Hyundai Motor Group since 2009, said: “After more than 40 years in the automotive industry, it is now time to return to the UK to be with my family and to enjoy life beyond work.

“I have been incredibly fortunate to enjoy a career in such a dynamic industry and over the last 15 years to work at Hyundai Motor Group, the best and most progressive automotive organisation in the world.

“I am proud to have worked with a great team in Europe, who l know will ensure that Hyundai continues its exciting growth trajectory.”

Name: Christophe Georges 

Company: Bentley 

Role: Board member for sales and marketing

Bentley has promoted sales and marketing director Christophe Georges to a seat on its executive board. 

Georges joined Bentley in 1998 and has held several key positions since, including two stints as its president and CEO for the Americas region. 

“I am relishing the prospect of continuing to work closely with my colleagues to provide fresh momentum and direction as we grow our brand, our audience base and our entire sales and marketing operations,” said Georges.

Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser added that Georges is “perfectly placed to realise our brand and sales ambitions”. 

Name: James Crichton

Company: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Role: Regional director for the Middle East and Africa

James Crichton has been named Rolls-Royce’s next regional director for the “hugely important” Middle East and Africa region. 

Crichton has held a number of senior positions at the luxury car maker since 2010 and has worked as the general manager of its global sales operations for the past six years.

Julian Jenkins, Rolls-Royce’s director of sales and brand, said: “I am delighted to welcome James Crichton to his new role as regional director Middle East and Africa.

“James has more than 14 years of experience with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and has held several leading positions in the company during this time.

“This latest move to Dubai reunites him with the regional office he was asked to establish in 2011.

“Middle East and Africa is a hugely important region for our business, and I wish James continued success in his role leading the excellent team which serves the region.”

Name: Maria Grazia Davino

Company: BYD

Role: Regional managing director for Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic

Maria Grazia Davino has been announced as the new regional managing director for BYD in Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic.

The news comes days after she stepped down as managing director of Stellantis UK – a position she held since July 2023.

Stella Li, executive vice-president of BYD, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Maria Grazia to our team. Her extensive experience and visionary leadership will be pivotal as we continue to grow and innovate in the European automotive landscape.”

Name: Eurig Druce

Company: Stellantis UK

Role: Managing director