BMW has appointed Dr Walter Hasselkus to the post of chief executive at Rover Group replacing John Towers. The appointment follows a failed search for a suitable British manager.

Dr Hasselkus - a lawyer by profession - is currently head of BMW motorcycles. He is 54, married and has three children. He will retain his seat on BMW's main board. He is familiar with the British motor industry having been president of BMW (GB) between 1980 and 1984. He began his career with the German lighting group Osram and joined BMW in 1976 working in its corporate planning division.