Tata Motors has appointed Guenter Butschek as chief executive officer and managing director. Butschek will take charge by 15 February, 2016, after he completes his last assignment at the Airbus Group, where he served as chief operating officer at Airbus and Member of the Group Executive Committee.

Butschek will lead all operations of Tata Motors in India and in international markets, including in South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and South Africa. Jaguar Land Rover will continue to be managed by its Chief Executive Officer and Director Ralf Speth, who is also on the Tata Motors board, said Tata Motors in a statement.

Prior to Airbus, Butschek worked at Daimler AG for more than 25 years on international automotive management, production, industrialisation and procurement. The last role he held was president and chief executive officer of Beijing Benz Automotive Co Ltd, a joint venture between Daimler AG and Beijing Automotive Industrial Holding in Beijing, China.

Butschek graduated in business administration and economics with a diploma from the University of Cooperative Education, Stuttgart, Germany. His appointment comes two year after the unexpected demise of then MD Karl Slym on 26 January, 2014, in Bangkok, Thailand.

"Tata Motors is going through an exciting yet challenging phase and Butschek's appointment comes at an opportune moment. He brings with him rich global experience of growing organizations and developing new markets. I am confident that Butschek's ability to lead high performing teams will enable our company to achieve sustainable, profitable growth," said Cyrus P Mistry, Chairman, Tata Motors.