Only last week Cian O'Brien was announced as the new head of SEAT Ireland - the first Irish man to head up a division of Volkswagen Group Ireland since it came under the control of Wolfsburg. Unfortunately, the Cork man's thunder has well and truly been stolen with the latest announcement to emerge from the Group.
In February 2013 Zac Hollis, currently Director of Skoda, will leave the position he has held for two and a half years to take up a Sales Director role for Skoda in China. The movement has necessitated a reshuffle of Volkswagen Group management with John Donegan moving from his position as Head of Sales & Marketing for Volkswagen Passenger Cars to take on the role of Director of Skoda. Donegan previously held the position of Head of Sales and Marketing for Skoda so will not be diving in at the deep end.
Paul Burke will move from his position of Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to take on the role of Operations Director for Volkswagen Passenger Cars with Alan Bateson assuming Burke's old role at the helm of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
When the music stops, that will leave Irishmen heading up three of the five brands within Volkswagen Group Ireland, something Simon Elliot, CEO of Volkswagen Group Ireland, promised when he took the role in 2011.
"All of these appointments are good news for Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Skoda as all of the new positions are occupied by key members of our existing team who bring a wealth of experience."