PETER Wyhinny will become the new managing director of SEAT UK, following the decision by Kevin James to leave the position after five years.

James, who has worked for the Volkswagen Group for 21 years, has decided he needs a new challenge and will leave the company on July 31.

Wyhinny is currently managing director of Volkswagen commercial vehicles and will officially head-up the company from August 1. However, in order to ensure a smooth handover, he starts working with SEAT from May 2.

Robert Hazelwood will take over Wyhinny’s role as director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Hazelwood has been with the Volkswagen Group as head of group synergies for five months, prior to which he was managing director of UK sales and marketing for MG Rover.