In the past couple of weeks, there have been plenty of management changes in the upper echelons of the Volkswagen Group. Another significant appointment made by Volkswagen AG was the appointment of Hans-Gerd Bode, 54, (pictured) as the Head of Group Communications, Investor Relations and External Relations with immediate effect. He succeeds Stephan Grühsem, 53, who is leaving the company by amicable agreement. Bode was latterly the head of public relations & press at Porsche AG in Stuttgart. 

Commenting on Bode’s new role, the CEO of Volkswagen AG, Matthias Müller, said, "With Hans-Gerd Bode, another recognized expert is taking over at the helm of communications in our company. He has excellent knowledge of the Group and the automotive industry."

Bode has studied German language and geography, and his previous functions included press officer at Mitsubishi and at Opel. He joined Mercedes-Benz AG in 1996. Bode moved to Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg in 1999 and assumed responsibility for the Group's brand and product communications. He was appointed Head of Product and Technical Communications at Porsche AG in 2008, becoming Head of Public Relations & Press in October 2010.

Also read: Oliver Blume appointed as the new chairman of Porsche's executive board