Who's Where: Thomas Ingenlath appointed Vice President of Design for Volvo

Thomas Ingenlath is set to assume the position of Vice President of Design for Volvo on July 1. He succeeds Peter Horbury who is now Senior Vice President of Design for Geely Group. Ingenlath will report directly to Volvo Car Corporation President and CEO, Stefan Jacoby.

Ingenlath arrives from a position as head of the Volkswagen Design Center in Potsdam, Germany, after spending over 20 years with the German group.

Ingenlath said, "I feel very honored to join Volvo – a brand which I have great admiration for. The company is heading for a new era and I am looking forward to be part of that development. It will be a great challenge to define Volvo's future design direction."

The 48-year-old has 20 years experience within the automotive industry after completing his design studies at the Fachhochschule für Gestaltung in Pforzheim and London's Royal College of Art. Since then he has worked in top design positions at Audi (1991-1994), Volkswagen (1995-2000) and Skoda (2000-2006).

While at the Volkswagen Group's Czech subsidiary, Ingenlath defined the brand's hugely successful design identity and was responsible for the first generation Skoda Superb, Fabia and the production Roomster.

Some of his other more notable designs include the Volkswagen Bluesport Roadster Concept as well as the more recent Nils Concept.

Ingenlath's previous position as head of Volkswagen Design Centre in Potsdam has filled by Stefan Sielaff, who took up the position at the beginning of February.

By Rufus Thompson