2:17 pm, July 22, 2014
BMW GROUP has appointed a new managing director for the UK and Ireland – Graeme Grieve.
Grieve, 53, is currently based in Munich and responsible for the BMW Group Importer business covering more than 80 countries around the world.
He takes up his new role on October 1 and succeeds Tim Abbott who has been appointed managing director, BMW Group South Africa.
The departing Abbott will be responsible for leading a team of 4,500 employees in the BMW Plant Rosslyn manufacturing operation, the national sales company and BMW Financial Services.
Grieve joined BMW UK in 1990 and held several positions before being appointed sales director in 2001. He subsequently joined Rolls-Royce in 2006 as global sales and marketing director before moving to Munich in 2009 to take responsibility for the BMW Group Importer business. During this time, he was also responsible for establishing an independent worldwide sales organisation for Mini within the BMW Group.
Ian Robertson, member of the board of management of BMW AG responsible for BMW sales and marketing, said: ‘Graeme’s breadth of experience across the company has proved to be a great asset in his current position and provides an excellent foundation for his leadership of BMW Group UK.’
Grieve added: ‘I am clearly delighted with my new appointment. While the current business environment remains dynamic, our strong brands and outstanding range of cars and motorcycles provides many opportunities.
‘My role will be to give clear leadership and direction to the company and to continue our strong partnership with our dealer network to meet the challenges which lie ahead.’
