Airbus to Enlist BMW CEO for its Board of Directors

Airbus to Enlist BMW CEO for its Board of Directors

Airbus Announces Oliver Zipse as Potential Future Board Member

Airbus, the European aerospace giant, has announced that Oliver Zipse, the current CEO of BMW, is being considered for a non-executive director role at the company. The nomination was made by René Obermann, Chairman of the Board at Airbus, who highlighted Zipse's extensive global industry experience as a valuable asset for the company.

The announcement was made in Airbus' communiqué on its half-year results. While the nomination has sparked speculation, it is important to note that Zipse is not being positioned as a direct successor to either René Obermann, the current Board Chairman, or Guillaume Faury, the CEO. His role would be that of a non-executive director rather than an executive position leading the company’s management or Board.

Oliver Zipse's extensive experience in the automotive industry, particularly his tenure as CEO of BMW, makes him a strong candidate for the role. His contract with BMW runs until 2026, which aligns with the scheduled election of the Airbus Board in the spring.

Airbus' decision to elect Zipse as a non-operational member of its board is part of its strategy for leadership continuity. The board's decision has been met with approval from Guillaume Faury, who expressed his happiness about Zipse joining the Airbus board and praised him as an excellent leader.

However, the speculation surrounding Zipse's role on the Airbus board includes the possibility of him being a potential successor to either Obermann or Faury. It is worth noting that René Obermann's term as Airbus board chairman ends in 2027, and Faury's mandate was recently extended by three more years in April.

During a conference call with journalists, Faury declined to comment on Zipse's potential succession. Despite this, the nomination of Zipse as a potential future board member is a significant development for Airbus and the aviation industry as a whole.

[1] Airbus Press Release, "Airbus announces the election of BMW CEO Oliver Zipse as a non-operational member of its Board of Directors," link

[2] Reuters, "Airbus nominates BMW's Zipse to join board, fuels succession speculation," link

1. The nomination of Oliver Zipse, currently the CEO of BMW, to be a non-executive director at Airbus could prove beneficial, given his vast global experience in the automotive industry.
2. Airbus' decision to elect Zipse as a non-operational member of its board is part of its strategy for leadership continuity in both the aerospace and finance sectors.
3. The speculation surrounding Oliver Zipse's role on the Airbus board includes the possibility of him being a potential successor to either René Obermann, the current Board Chairman, or Guillaume Faury, the CEO, thus impacting both the leadership and business trajectory of the company.

Read also: