PEUGEOT managing director Tod Evans becomes non-executive chairman of the board of Peugeot Citroen Automobiles UK next month.

The French manufacturer has announced that Christian Geraud, who currently heads up Peugeot's Italian operation, will take over as managing director of Peugeot in the UK. In his new position, Evans will take responsibility for the group's external relations and communication in the UK and will act on behalf of the PSA Peugeot Citroen head office in Paris.

The company said his main objective in the new role will be to develop the group's relations with Government and other authorities and opinion leaders as well as with the media.