GM appointed Microsoft finance chief

General Motors (GM) has appointed the chief financial officer of Microsoft as its new finance chief. Chris Liddell, who is originally from New Zealand, will take up the position in January. Mr Liddell joined Microsoft in 2005 after working at the International Paper Company. Ray Young, GM's outgoing chief financial officer, is being transferred to China in February to serve as vice president of international operations. Mr Liddell spearheaded a cost-cutting plan at Microsoft that included the biggest job cuts in the history of the company. GM declared itself bankrupt in July. Earlier this month, Fritz Henderson stepped down from the post of chief executive. Chairman Ed Whitacre, who was brought in by the Obama administration earlier this year, is acting as an interim replacement.