Volkswagen U.K. Chief Bolts for Nissan After 3 Months

Paul Willcox quits after just three months as managing director at Volkswagen Group U.K. to become chairman for Nissan's Europe region.

Volkswagen says Paul Willis will take over Feb. 1 as managing director, “replacing Paul Willcox who leaves the company with immediate effect.”

Willis headed the VW Passenger Cars brand between February 2000 and 2008 and has worked as managing director for Volkswagen Group Ireland. His most recent role, which he has held since June 2011, was as chief operating officer-sales and marketing for Skoda China.

Before joining VW in 2000, Willis worked for BMW, Mazda, Toyota and Ford.

Nissan says in a statement Willcox’s appointment is part of senior management and organizational changes designed to further strengthen operations in Europe and globally.

Willcox will report to Trevor Mann, Nissan global chief performance officer.

Willcox started his auto industry career after graduating from Lancaster University with a management sciences degree, spending four years at Peugeot Great Britain.

He joined Nissan Great Britain in 1992 and served as manager-corporate planning, general manager-marketing strategy and pricing, and marketing director. He was appointed vice president-marketing for Nissan Europe in 2005.

After three years he returned to Nissan Motor GB as managing director. In 2011 he became senior vice president sales and marketing for Nissan Europe, a position he left in September to join VW.