The top job at BMW’s M division has been given to a familiar face, with former CEO Frank van Meel returning to the role to lead the brand into its 50th year.

Mr van Meel had previously served as the performance department’s CEO from 2015 to 2018 before being replaced by Markus Flasch, moving over to BMW’s luxury, upper and mid-range model operations.

The reappointment of van Meel comes as a direct exchange with Flasch, as the latter is set to take over van Meel’s current portfolio – as well as becoming Rolls-Royce’s head of products, another of the BMW Group’s brands.

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Under van Meel’s previous tenure with BMW M, the brand introduced its new in-model range of variants such as; the Competition, CS and CSL, while also overseeing the development of four-wheel drive in the current M5.

Flasch leaves the high-performance arm of BMW with a CV that includes; the new M3, M4, X3 M and X4 M, not to mention his work on the upcoming i4 M50 – the company’s first fully-electric model – which is set to launch next year.

It is rumoured BMW M will produce its first bespoke electrified vehicle in the near future, tipping to be underpinned by a hybrid powertrain which can deliver up to 560kW.

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