GENERAL Motors Europe (GME) has appointed Carl-Peter Forster (pictured above) as chairman, replacing Frederick Henderson who has become GM vice-chairman and chief financial officer (CFO).

Forster is currently GM vice-president and president of GME, a position he has held since last year.

Before that, he was chairman and managing director of Adam Opel AG and, before joining GM, worked at BMW for 15 years.

Henderson replaces current vice-chairman and CFO John Devine, whose five-year contract has ended, although he will stay with the company for a further year.

GM chairman and chief executive officer Rick Wagoner said: ‘He has played a significant role in the GME turnaround plan, implementing the cost-reduction initiatives as well as the product and revenue-growth elements of the plan.’