BMW names former head of US operations to lead Rolls-Royce

[Deleted member 25]

FRANKFURT, Germany: Automaker BMW AG said Tuesday that Tom Purves was named chief executive of its Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd., giving him oversight and responsibility for the luxury car maker's production, sales and marketing.

Purves, 59, will start July 1 and comes to the Goodwood, England-based automaker from BMW US Holding Corp., where he has been chairman and CEO since 1999.

Jim O'Donnell, 58, will take Purves' spot at BMW US Holding on the same day, leaving his position as president of BMW of North America LLC. His new job means he will also be regional manager for the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.

BMW names former head of US operations to lead Rolls-Royce - International Herald Tribune

 

[EnI]

Interesting moves.

Rolls-Royce CEO (Robertson) becomes Chief Marketing Officer in BMW AG Management Board.

BMW USA CEO (Purves) gets a position of RR CEO, while BMW UK boss (O'Donnell) is named a new BMW USA CEO (after being named BMW USA COO a few weeks earlier). BMW UK top spot is taken by BMW Portugal boss (Kibsgaard). BMW Portugal CEO position is filled by BMW Portugal CMO (Boavida).

....

 

[Tarek]

^Man that's alot of names to read at once

 

[Ultimate Car Guy]

Interesting. Tom Purves use to be a Rolls Royce engineer earlier in his career. He was also head of Rolls Royce Europe sales before joining BMW in the UK.

Tom Purves will retire soon by the way. Rule 60!

 

[EnI]

Rule 60!

Is under consideration ... They are thinking seriously to make a "Rule 65" of it. But Yet I doubt the main shareholders (namely the Quandts) will go for it.

 

[Ultimate Car Guy]

It looks as if Rule 60 only applies to BMW AG, not Rolls Royce Motor Cars- which is a seperate legal entity. I guess that's why it was perfectly logical for BMW to transfer Tom Purves from BMW NA to Rolls Royce at his age.