After moving Ray Young to head up finance at GM’s International operations, The General was left without a CFO. That’s all about to change, as Chris Liddell has just been appointed vice chairman and chief financial officer of General Motors.

Liddell has been CFO of Microsoft since May of 2005. He will be leaving the software giant on December 31 of this year and will start with GM in 2010. CEO and chairman Ed Whitacre had the following to say about Liddell joining GM:

Chris brings a depth and experience to this job that were unmatched in our search for a new financial leader. Chris will lead our financial and accounting operations on a global basis and will report directly to me. We’re also looking to his experience and insights in corporate strategy as a member of the senior leadership team in helping our restructuring efforts.

While at Microsoft, Liddell was responsible for leading its worldwide finance organization, which included overseeing acquisitions, corporate strategy, treasury activities, tax planning, accounting and reporting, internal audit, and investor relations. Prior to joining Microsoft, the New Zealand native was CFO at International Paper Co., the world’s largest forest products company, having similar responsibilities to those at Microsoft. He was also CEO of Carter Holt Harvey Ltd., New Zealand’s second-largest listed company during his tenure. Liddell also worked as an investment banker as managing director and joint CEO for CS First Boston NZ Ltd.

Liddell, 51, holds an engineering degree with honors from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and a Master of Philosophy degree from Oxford University in England.

The GM Authority Take

Even prior to his tenure with Microsoft, Liddell was regarded as a very prudent and successful businessperson. GM needs someone with proper experience and know-how to perform the duties of CFO, and Liddell looks to be the right man for the job. Even though he may not be a “car guy” (something we don’t know for sure), GM needs people with proper business sense who can bring the company to profitability. Having Liddell as CFO and vice-chairman of the board will help make that goal a reality that much faster. We just hope there aren’t any surprises along the way.

Check out GM’s press release after the jump!

PRESS RELEASE

Chris Liddell Named GM Vice Chairman and CFO

2009-12-21

DETROIT – Chris Liddell has been appointed General Motors vice chairman and chief financial officer, it was announced today.  Liddell was most recently CFO for Microsoft Corp., a post he held since May, 2005.

“Chris brings a depth and experience to this job that were unmatched in our search for a new financial leader,” said Ed Whitacre, GM chairman and CEO.  “Chris will lead our financial and accounting operations on a global basis and will report directly to me.  We’re also looking to his experience and insights in corporate strategy as a member of the senior leadership team in helping our restructuring efforts.”

Liddell will start with GM in the new year.  While at Microsoft, Liddell was responsible for leading Microsoft Corp.’s worldwide finance organization, which included overseeing acquisitions, corporate strategy, treasury activities, tax planning, accounting and reporting, internal audit, and investor relations.  He is leaving Microsoft on December 31 of this year.

Before joining Microsoft, Liddell was CFO at International Paper Co., the world’s largest forest products company, with similar responsibilities.  Prior to that, he was chief executive officer of Carter Holt Harvey Ltd., then New Zealand’s second-largest listed company.  He also has worked as an investment banker as managing director and joint CEO for CS First Boston NZ Ltd.

Liddell, 51, holds an engineering degree with honors from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and a Master of Philosophy degree from Oxford University in England.  He has served as director of the New Zealand Rugby Union and governor of the New Zealand Sports Foundation.  He is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Auckland.  Liddell was a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Advisory Committee on Improvements to Financial Reporting.

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