Former Bentley Motors chairman Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen is to spearhead Volkswagen Group UK’s liaisons with Government and associations.

He will be supported by Bentley’s director for corporate and government affairs, Mike Hawes, who will assume the role of UK Government affairs director for Volkswagen AG.

Volkswagen Group UK is now the UK market leader in car sales through its VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti brands.

It also owns and operates the Bentley Motors assembly plant in Crewe, which employs 3,500 people.

Paefgen said: “The United Kingdom is an important market for the Volkswagen Group and home to Bentley, one of the world’s most famous and prestigious brands. We have strong roots as a car manufacturer in the United Kingdom and will be further strengthening our responsibilities and role in this context.”

Paefgen has been with the Volkswagen Group since 1980, with roles including chairman of Audi, Bentley and Bugatti.

He is also a member of the UK’s Automotive Council, the Government-industry partnership charged with promoting and enhancing the automotive industry.

Hawes retains his responsibilities as director for corporate and Government affairs at Bentley Motors, but his additional role will help coordinate the Government-related activities of Volkswagen AG in the UK.

He will work with Volkswagen Group UK in the execution of its communication activities especially in the promotion of new technologies in which Volkswagen continues to make significant investment.