SimonElliott-MAN

6/08/2014 : DUBLIN : Pictured was Simon Elliott, new managing director of MAN UK. Picture Robbie Reynolds.

Simon Elliott, MD of MAN Truck & Bus UK, is to leave his role in the new year. 

Elliott has resigned from his position and will leave in January. He was appointed from within the Volkswagen Group two years ago to create a new foundation for growth, with a strong focus on improving customer care.

Heinz-Jürgen Low, board member sales and marketing at MAN, said: “It is disappointing to see Simon leave our organisation. He has steered the company through challenging times and has spearheaded a strategy that has already seen positive results, particularly in the areas of customer focus and market-share.”

Loew added that one of Elliott's successes had been the implementation of Customer First, which has had a direct impact on improvement of customer satisfaction.

The UK is one of only a few European countries to see market-share growth, with a strong order bank going in to 2017.

When he joined the business Elliott developed a turnaround plan for issues the brand faced with Euro-5. He has also overseen the successful launch of Euro-6 and Euro-6c products, which boast improved reliability and fuel efficiency, MAN said in a statement.

The UK market-share for MAN has seen a growth from 9.1% in 2015 to a forecast 10.5% in 2016, it added.

Elliott said: “I am sorry to be leaving a great team of people at MAN and I am proud that the first leg of the development of MAN Truck & Bus UK has been successfully completed.

“The time is now right to pass on the baton, however, before I go there are several significant strategic changes that will be announced at our January conference that will allow for even greater engagement and sales success.”

MAN said Elliott's successor will be announced in the coming weeks.