Polestar is set to announce former Volvo and Vauxhall executive Steve Beattie as its new head of sales in the UK.

Beattie will replace Matt Hawkins, who is leaving Polestar after nearly four years work alongside Jonathan Goodman to establish the EV brand's sales operation.

Just six months ago Beattie was appointed sales and operations director at Vauxhall, after a stint with Chinese brand Nio as head of European fleet and sales operations.

He was Vauxhall's national contract hire and leasing manager when he left the British brand after 12 years to join Volvo Car UK's senior team in 2017.

At Polestar Beattie will report to his former Nio boss Matt Galvin, who became managing director of Polestar UK in June following the retirement of Goodman.

Vauxhall revealed this week that Natalie Kennett, who was previously its head of commercial programmes for Vauxhall, has been appointed Vauxhall's sales and operations director, the role that Beattie has left.

Hawkins shared on LinkedIn how proud he was of his time, and team, at Polestar UK, which he'd joined in 2021 as employee number 12.

He added: "27,000 cars added to UK roads later and I think I it’s safe to say that startup phase is complete.”

“I can honestly say that I have never given myself to a project as wholeheartedly as I have with this fantastic brand,” he wrote.

He added: “My proudest achievement has been pulling together the most incredible team that I could have wished to share the journey with."

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