Vauxhall has appointed James Taylor as managing director as part of a trio of new management appointments.

Taylor had already been in place as acting managing director at Vauxhall since July 2022

Taylor had already been in place as acting managing director since July 2022, combining his duties with his previous role of B2B director at Stellantis UK. Prior to that, he held positions as sales & marketing director and fleet sales & remarketing director at Vauxhall.

He’s joined by Phil Douglass as Vauxhall’s new marketing director and Steve Wass in the newly created regional operations & sales director role.

Phil Douglass was previously head of product & pricing and assumes the marketing role from Adam Wood, who has been appointed as the new MD at Peugeot.

Steve Wass takes over the regional operations & sales position from Stephanie Howson, who moves to become director of customer experience & training at Stellantis UK.

James Taylor, who will report to Paul Willcox, managing director, Stellantis UK, commented: “Vauxhall is on a very exciting journey. Transforming into an electric-only brand from 2028 is a significant task for the brand, and I’m excited to keep working with my colleagues towards that goal, and to continue improving our product and servicing offers across the country.”

The changes are part of a major management shake-up at Stellantis UK, which is rejigging key senior management and centralising support services, while also streamlining dealers’ business models and moving to multi-franchising.

Speaking in October 2022, the group said the new set-up – which includes amalgamating the management of Alfa Romeo and DS Automobiles in a new premium brand division – integrates “the multiple retailer contact points, simplifies policies and procedures and improves communication whilst maintaining the integrity of the respective brands”.

Commenting on the newly announced Vauxhall management changes, Paul Willcox, Stellantis UK’s MD said: “I wish James and the rest of the new management team the best of luck in their new roles and driving the Vauxhall brand forward.”