Former Rover executive Chris Woodwark is returning to the remains of the group acquired by Alchemy Partners to run MG Car Company.

Mr Woodwark, who earlier spent 20 years with Rover, left on the eve of BMW's purchase to take over Cosworth Engineering. He is a former Land Rover sales director.

Later Mr Woodwark became chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, and is now a member of Alchemy's UK advisory board.

His immediate task will be to start generating profit for MG Car Company which has not yet said when and how it will switch from the Rover to MG brand.

Mr Woodwark's motor industry knowledge will be important on a board of wide experiences. He is though a sales and marketing specialist, and MG Cars will need someone with engineering, design and development expertise.

Brandon Gough, to be chairman of MG Cars, held a similar position at Yorkshire Water for five years and was recently non-executive chairman of De La Rue and Kelda Group.

MG Cars' finance director is to be Graham Hallworth, a corporate turn-around specialist who has been a long-time associate of Alchemy senior partner Jon Moulton.

Nick Stephenson, former Rover Group design and engineering director, has joined Lola Cars as special projects director.