Stellantis names new UK boss ahead of business 'correction'

Stellantis UK has named Eurig Druce as its new managing director.

He will replace Maria Grazia Davino, who is understood to have been placed on gardening leave ahead of a move to another manufacturer.

Druce has worked in what is now Stellantis since joining Peugeot UK as an apprentice in 2001. He spent three years heading up Citroën’s British arm between 2020 and 2023 before serving as sales chief for Stellantis UK. He was named Peugeot UK boss only in July this year and will continue in that role until his replacement is found.

Davino was appointed group managing director for Stellantis UK in July last year and was promptly vocal about the “major operational issues” that the business faced.

Speaking to Autocar in February 2024, she said: “Our business is too complex and we must be more simple”, adding “we have a hell of a job to do”.

Davino has since warned that “Stellantis production in the UK could stop” because of how the new zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate has affected its profitability.

The announcement of her departure comes days after Stellantis global chief Carlos Tavares warned the company would be making a “correction” to its UK business in the coming weeks.

“I need to restore the profitability by a certain number of decisions in terms of making things more efficient in the UK,” Tavares said.

Last month he ordered a review of Stellantis’s two van factories in the UK – Luton and Ellesmere Port – raising the prospect of closures.

As first reported by trade publication Car Dealer, Davino has left Stellantis of her own volition. Autocar understands that her departure is not related to the upcoming business "correction".

Jean-Philippe Imparato, who was recently named as Stellantis’s new chief operating officer for the Enlarged Europe region, said: “I am delighted to be able to appoint Eurig Druce to this position. His proven track record in the country will provide continuity of our strategy in this important market.

“I sincerely thank Maria Grazia for her unwavering focus on performance and her ability to drive results swiftly. She built strong relationships with retailers, employees and stakeholders, while adeptly handling regulatory changes in a disrupted industry. Her leadership has made a lasting impact on our UK operations and paved the future.”