Rolls-Royce has announced that Tom Purves will join the company as its new CEO leaving its position of Chairman and CEO of BMW US.
This is a come back for Tom Purves as the newly appointed CEO started his career as an apprentice engineer at Crewe in 1967. His role with the company evolved to include several management positions in various fields including sales in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Purves joined BMW as sales director in 1985 in Great Britain and was appointed Managing Director in 1989. During his tenure, the company became the second largest BMW export market after the USA. In 1996 he became a Rover Board member, where he oversaw the global sales and marketing of Land Rover, MINI, MG and Rover before his move to North America in 1999. Purves was responsible for the successful launch of Mini in North America.
“It has been a pleasure to see Rolls-Royce flourish under the ownership of BMW Group,” Purves commented. “I am delighted to be taking the helm at Goodwood as the company continues to develop with the upcoming launch of the Phantom Coupé and, most significantly, the introduction of RR4 in 2010. I have always felt a special connection with Rolls-Royce, having started my career in the car division.”
As planned, Ian Robertson will join the BMW AG Board of Management but remains Chairman of Rolls-Royce.
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