CEO of Rolls-Royce set for retirement

By Tom Kilkelly

12 October 2023

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Credit: Rolls Royce

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the historic car manufacturer based in West Sussex, has announced that Torsten Müller-Ötvös is to retire as its Chief Executive Officer on 30 November 2023.

Torsten will be succeeded by Chris Brownridge, who is currently CEO of BMW UK.

He joined Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 2010, making him the company’s longest-serving Chief Executive since Claude Johnson, the man known as 'the hyphen in Rolls-Royce'.

Torsten said: “Leading Rolls-Royce for almost 14 years has been the greatest privilege and pleasure of my professional life. To have grown the company and its world-class people to the position it is in today, at the pinnacle of the luxury industry, has been a remarkable adventure.

''I am proud of the role my exceptional team and I have played in contributing significantly to the UK economy and to the global recognition of Britain’s ability to produce the world’s best luxury products.”

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Rolls-Royce was transformed under Torsten's leadership, with a number of luxury products added to its portfolio and a general shift that saw the company move into the super-luxury market sector.

The company is one of West-Sussex's largest employers and also contributes over half a billion pounds to the UK economy.

Oliver Zipse, BMW Group Chief Executive, said: “Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a jewel in the crown of our organisation. Torsten’s outstanding leadership, unswerving commitment, clear vision and exceptional ability to build a strong, focused team have helped make Rolls-Royce the world-class luxury brand it is today. We wish him the very best for his future endeavours.”

By Tom Kilkelly

Tom Kilkelly started working as a freelance journalist for The Business Magazine following his graduation from UCL in 2022.

During his studies Tom became very interested in the works of Irish authors including Samuel Beckett and Flann O'Brien (Brian O'Nolan).

His current role as a freelance business reporter is his first exposure to the world of business journalism. Working at TBM has given Tom the chance to really get to grips with the goings-on in the business hive that is the South East.