Audi Volkswagen Middle East has appointed Deesch Papke, an industry veteran, as the new group managing director of the wholly-owned subsidiary importer organisation.
In his new role, Papke will be responsible for driving the growth across the GCC and Levant for the Audi and Volkswagen brands from the AVME regional office in Dubai.
With over 10 years success as CEO of Porsche Middle East and Africa, South African-born Papke, oversaw a period of exponential growth for the organisation, said a statement from the company.
Starting his career in management roles for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Land Rover as well as for Volvo in South Africa and Russia, Papke acquired many years of multi-market and brand experience within the global automotive sector.
His first role in the Middle East region came in 2005 with Porsche as Managing Director of the Middle East and Africa subsidiary, where Papke oversaw the extensive development of the regional operation.
His career at Porsche AG also included achievements as MD for Porsche China and as the Regional Head of Overseas and Emerging Markets with Porsche AG in Germany. Papke succeeds Benoit Tiers, who moves to AUDI AG in Ingolstadt, where he will be responsible for Western European markets at the company headquarters.
As Group Managing Director, Deesch Papke will be responsible for driving the growth across 11 countries in the GCC and Levant for the Audi and Volkswagen brands.
Key to this will be ensuring professionalism and brand standards are maintained across the regional network, focusing on market penetration and enhancing existing facilities, said the statement.
On the appointment, Papke said: "I am taking over the responsibility of AVME at an exciting time. Despite the challenging regional economy, both Audi and VW have a strong portfolio of new models to bring to the market over the next few years. I am looking forward to a period of growth and opportunity upon which we can further develop our business."
Papke’s move to Audi Volkswagen Middle East organisation will see him operate from the regional headquarters of the subsidiary in Dubai Airport Free Zone.
His role will be to lead a team of over 100 professionals representing the Audi and Volkswagen brands and to support growth of the Volkswagen Group across 11 countries, 12 importers and 52 dealer facilities in the GCC and Levant.
In addition to his mother tongue English, he is fluent in Afrikaans and German. In his leisure time, the German national enjoys watching and participating in sports. Deesch Papke is married with 2 children.
"We have excellent business partners to work with in our region and I look forward to utilising my experience, in the Middle East, Germany and China, to continue to build the reputations of both brands in the region," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
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