BMW Group has confirmed its next chairman following a structured succession process. Dr.Milan Nedeljković, who has spent 32 years with the company, will take on the role after the Annual General Meeting in May 2026. The decision, announced this month provides clarity on leadership during a period of ongoing industry change and internal transformation.
Nedeljković currently oversees Production and has been a member of the Board of Management since 2019. The Supervisory Board highlighted his strategic thinking, consistent delivery, and practical leadership style as the main reasons for his selection. His appointment also reflects the continued importance of disciplined resource management in financial, operational, and environmental terms, as BMW develops its next phase of electric mobility.
Nedeljković’s Path Through the Company
Nedeljković brings a long operational track record across production, quality management, and plant leadership. He joined BMW in 1993 as a trainee before holding positions at sites in Germany, the UK, and wider Europe. His career includes senior roles such as Plant Director in Oxford and Managing Director positions in Leipzig and Munich. Before joining the Board of Management, he served as Senior Vice President for Corporate Quality.
This background means he is familiar with BMW’s global manufacturing network and its requirements as the organisation introduces new product architectures. His understanding of plant operations, engineering processes, and workforce structures positions him to guide BMW’s evolution without losing focus on efficiency or product standards. His contract runs until 2031, allowing a multi-year runway for the company’s ongoing transformation.
Strong Support From the Workforce
Employee representation plays a formal role in BMW’s governance structure, and the endorsement of the Works Council is a meaningful component of any leadership transition. Dr. Martin Kimmich, Chairman of the Global Works Council and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board, voiced strong support for the appointment. He emphasised Nedeljković’s reputation within the workforce and the positive relationship he has built with teams across different plants and business units.
“Milan Nedeljković is held in high regard by and enjoys the trust of BMW’s workforce. Together with him, we look forward to continuing the long tradition of cooperative collaboration between the Works Council and corporate management as a foundation for our BMW success story.”
Dr. Martin Kimmich, Chairman of Global Works Council & Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board, BMW
Kimmich noted that the strong tradition of cooperation between the Works Council and corporate management remains a core part of BMW’s culture. Maintaining this collaboration will be an important factor as the company continues to adjust production lines, retrain employees, and introduce new technologies related to electrified vehicles.
What BMW Will Focus on Next
The leadership transition comes while BMW continues to roll out its Neue Klasse architecture, which will underpin its next generation of electric vehicles. This platform is central to the company’s product strategy through the coming decade and requires substantial coordination across engineering, supply chain, and production teams.
“Milan Nedeljković convinces with his strategic foresight, strong implementation skills, and entrepreneurial thinking. He stands for very focused management of resources, whether financial or ecological. Milan Nedeljković inspires people with ideas, unites them behind shared values, and thereby motivates them to realise peak performance. This is a crucial leadership quality to maintain the BMW Group’s successful course in this time of transformation.”
Dr. Nicolas Peter, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, BMW AG
BMW’s most recent full-year results offer a sense of scale. In 2024, the company sold 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. Revenues reached €142.4 billion, with profit before tax of €11.0 billion. The company employs just over 159,000 people across more than 30 production sites, with a sales presence in more than 140 countries.
These numbers demonstrate the breadth of the organisation and the complexity of the transition ahead. As BMW expands its electric vehicle portfolio, it must also maintain the performance of its existing product lines, manage supply chain adjustments, and ensure manufacturing sites remain competitive. The company’s global footprint means these changes must be coordinated across markets with differing regulatory requirements and customer expectations.
The attributes highlighted by the Supervisory Board such as clear strategic thought, reliable implementation, and an entrepreneurial mindset, align with the practical demands of this phase. The production focus of Nedeljković’s career may support the company’s efforts to coordinate product launches, integrate new technologies, and optimise processes in both established and developing markets.
Moving Into the Next Chapter
BMW’s succession plan suggests continuity rather than major strategic redirection. The company remains focused on transitioning its portfolio, modernising its production network, and strengthening the systems that support electrification and sustainable manufacturing. With Nedeljković taking over in May 2026, BMW enters the next stage of this long-term programme with a leader who has deep operational familiarity and established relationships across the organisation.