BMW Appoints New CTO, Reshapes Board as Leadership Transition Looms

BMW has announced key changes to its Board of Management, appointing Joachim Post as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) following the departure of Frank Weber. Post, currently BMW’s Chief Purchasing Officer, will be succeeded in that role by Nicolai Martin.

The company stated that these decisions were made to “ensure future leadership in innovation and technology.” However, German newspaper Handelsblatt reports that Post is also being considered as a potential successor to CEO Oliver Zipse, making the appointment a pivotal decision within the automaker’s leadership.

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Weber’s departure is attributed to BMW’s internal policy, which generally mandates retirement for board members at age 60 unless granted a one-year extension. While Zipse, whose contract runs until 2026, has been an exception, Weber, who assumed the CTO role in 2020, was not offered an extension. “Frank Weber and the entire development division have done an exceptional job in preparing BMW’s central future project, the Neue Klasse, for series production,” said Supervisory Board Chairman Norbert Reithofer.

Post, who joined BMW in 2002 and became a board member in 2022, was instrumental in navigating supply chain disruptions during the pandemic. He has held several key positions, including overseeing midsize BMW models, vehicle strategy, and collaborations with Toyota. His experience in technology and supply chain management is seen as an asset in his new role.

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While Post is reportedly a frontrunner for the CEO position in 2026, other candidates include Board Member for Production Milan Nedeljkovic and Head of Human Resources Ilka Horstmeier. Post, at 53, is the youngest of the three, which could allow for a longer tenure at the helm.

Nicolai Martin, currently leading the BMW-Rolls-Royce luxury product line, will take over as Chief Purchasing Officer on June 1. He has a background in vehicle development, driving dynamics, and automated driving systems. “With Nicolai Martin, another passionate engineer joins the Board of Management,” Reithofer said, emphasizing his mix of technical and business expertise.