The Chief Executive Officer of General Motors, Mr Fritz Henderson, resigned from his post this week, just eight months after assuming office. Henderson’s resignation came as a response to the company board’s decision that GM needed faster restructuring and a change in leadership. He was asked to leave at a meeting held in Detroit recently. The company’s Chairman, Ed Whitacre, will act as interim CEO until a replacement is found for Henderson.

GM spokesman Chris Preuss said at a press conference that the board had decided, and Henderson agreed, that the company needed some changes. The decision has been taken by GM’s board of directors alone, without any degree of involvement by the US Government.

Henderson took over as the company’s CEO in March 2009, after Richard Wagoner was asked by the government to leave, as part of its restructuring plan for GM.