Taking on finance role

The BMW Group has appointed Mike Wetherell as regional chief executive officer of financial services for its Asia-Pacific operations.

Wetherell is based in Singapore and replaces Ritu Chandy, who will relocate to Munich to take over as head of group treasury. 

The former becomes responsible for the company’s financial services division across seven countries – Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand – as well as the strategic partnerships in Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.

Wetherell, pictured, began his career with the group in 1997 with BMW Financial Services UK where he spent nine years, including five years as general manager of the customer service centre. 

In 2006, he relocated to South Africa to take on the position of sales and marketing director of BMW Financial Services South Africa. 

Wetherell kicked off his tour in Asia as operations director of BMW Automotive Finance China in 2010. After three years, he moved to Malaysia as managing director of BMW Credit Malaysia.

Prior to his latest appointment, he served as president and CEO of BMW Japan Finance where he was responsible for the financial oversight and development of financial services in the market.

BMW Group Financial Services operates subsidiaries and runs partnerships with local financial services providers and importers in 58 markets around the world.

With more than 8,600 associates, it’s one of the leading such companies in the automotive sector.