Seemingly destined to join the oil industry with many friends at the time becoming mud Engineers on oil rigs in various far-flung parts of the world, Robertson's first job offer was with Halliburton in Kuwait. The prospect of being away from people for six weeks at a time did not appeal, and cars had always been a passion of his. He joined Rover Group as a graduate trainee for Rover in 1979.
In 1999, he became Managing Director of BMW South Africa, taking on responsibility for their sales, marketing, and Manufacturing operations in that territory. He oversaw the introduction of the BMW 3-Series E46 generation into Plant Rosslyn. In 2000, BMW disposed of the Land Rover marque to Ford Motor Company, severing his ties with the Rover Group.
In 2005, he returned to the United Kingdom to become Chairman and Chief Executive Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd, where he oversaw steady sales growth and was involved in the development of the Rolls Royce Ghost.
In 2008 he was promoted to member of the Board of Management, the first Briton to have this role, responsible for BMW AG, Sales and Marketing, and Chairman of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. He was responsible for global sales and marketing activities across BMW, BMW Motorrad, MINI and Rolls-Royce in all global markets.
In 2012, with the appointment of Peter Schwarzenbauer to the BMW Board of Management, Robertson's responsibilities shifted slightly; he became responsible solely for BMW Brand Sales and Marketing, and BMW Group Sales Channel. In turn, Schwarzenbauer picked up operational responsibility for MINI, Rolls Royce, BMW Motorrad, and Aftersales BMW Group.
In March 2017, he was appointed to his current role at BMW. He is due to step at the end of 2017, and will continue on with BMW in an ambassadorial role until his official retirement in June 2018.
