BMW has finally announced that Rob East has been appointed as the new general manager for corporate sales at BMW Group UK.

Fleet News first revealed in September that East, the former head of fleet at Mercedes-Benz, would be named the new corporate sales boss, replacing Steve Oliver, who left BMW in April, last year.

In his new role, East leads the team responsible for all BMW and Mini sales to business and leasing customers. 

Since graduating in engineering management, he has gained more than 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry in a variety of sales, leasing and marketing roles for both vehicle manufacturers and motor dealers.

East spent nearly 10 years in a number of different roles with Mercedes Benz UK, latterly as head of fleet sales.

Commenting on the appointment, Chris Brownridge, sales director for BMW UK, said: “Rob brings great energy and a wealth of experience making him the ideal addition to the UK sales team and a natural leader for our busy corporate sales team.

“With such an exciting and busy period of new corporate and business oriented model launches in 2019, he joins at a perfect time.”

East added: “Corporate sales are essential to our success so ensuring we give the best service to our business and leasing customers is going to be my focus. 

“It’s also an exciting time to be joining the team with the growing range models offering an even wider choice for fleets. I look forward to strengthening our position in the corporate sector and attracting new business customers to the BMW and Mini brands.”

Mercedes-Benz is still to announce a replacement for East, but with the sudden departure of Tom Brennan from Audi in November, it could be he is destined for the role.

If Brennan is destined for Mercedes-Benz – purely speculation at this stage - it would complete a merry-go-round of appointments among the three German premium brands after BMW media relations manager Gavin Ward joined Audi in October as its new head of press and PR.  

 

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