Tom Purves Appointed CEO Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Purves is currently Chairman and CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corp., a position he has held since May 1999. He is also president of BMW of North America, LLC. He has led the company to achieve groundbreaking success, with market share and sales of BMW Group vehicles more than doubling during his tenure. In addition, Purves was responsible for the successful launch of MINI in North America.

He has spent his whole working life in the automotive industry, beginning with Rolls-Royce 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 the BMW Group in 1985 as Sales Director of BMW (GB) Ltd 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.

“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.” Ian Robertson said, “Tom’s breadth of experience and successful track record make him the perfect man to lead Rolls-Royce as the company moves into the next stages of its development.”