Ford Motor Company on July 15 announced key executive appointments to further sharpen its senior leadership team’s focus on the “One Ford” plan and to support the company’s growth around the world.
The changes affect Ford’s Global Manufacturing & Labor Affairs, Ford of Europe, Global Marketing, Sales and Service, and Latin American operations. The moves include:
- John Fleming, 58, Ford executive vice president currently serving dual roles as Chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe and head of Global Manufacturing and Labor affairs, will lead the company’s Global Manufacturing & Labor Affairs operations.
- Stephen Odell, 55, currently CEO of Volvo Cars, is appointed a Ford group vice president and succeeds Fleming as chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe.
- Stuart Rowley, 43, chief financial officer of Volvo, becomes chief financial officer, Ford of Europe.
All three appointments will be effective upon the closing of Ford’s sale of Volvo to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Limited, expected to occur later this quarter.
Jim Farley, 48, currently Ford group vice president, Global Marketing and Canada, Mexico and South America operations, will take an expanded role as Ford’s global leader for marketing, sales and service around the world. This marks the first time Ford has a single global leader for marketing, sales and service. The move is effective Aug. 1.
In parallel, Ford is reorganizing its operations in Canada, Mexico and South America. Effective Aug. 1, Eduardo Serrano, 50, currently president and CEO of Ford of Mexico, is appointed executive director, Latin America, with responsibility for the company’s operations in Mexico and South America. David Mondragon will continue as president, Ford of Canada. Both Serrano and Mondragon will report to Mark Fields, Ford executive vice president and president of the Americas.
“These moves allow us to strengthen our global team as we accelerate our One Ford plan and continue to profitably grow serving our customers around the world,” said Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally.
Fleming to lead Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs
Fleming was named CEO of Ford of Europe in 2005 and added the title of chairman in October 2008. He took on the added responsibilities as Ford’s head of Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs in December 2009.
Fleming will be based in Dearborn, Mich., and will oversee Ford’s Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs operations at a critical time for new global product introductions around the world, rapid expansion in growth markets and labor negotiations in several global markets that are critical to the company’s competitiveness.
“During the past five years, John’s strong leadership has been critical to Ford of Europe’s continued product and financial resurgence,” Mulally said. “As a world-class manufacturing executive, he will play an equally vital role as we drive toward industry leadership in efficient, high-quality manufacturing worldwide and work with our labor unions to remain fully competitive with the best in the world.”
Fleming joined Ford in 1967 in manufacturing. He oversees the operations of 80 assembly, stamping and powertrain plants around the world and also is responsible for the company’s worldwide engineering support for stamping, vehicle and powertrain manufacturing.
Odell to lead Ford of Europe
Odell takes over as chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe after leading a significant restructuring and successful financial turnaround at Volvo Cars, where he has been president since October 2008. During that period, he also shepherded the company through an extremely complex sale process that required intense focus on sustaining momentum during an uncertain time.
Prior to leading Volvo, Odell served as vice president and chief operating officer, Ford of Europe and, before that, vice president of Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe, and senior managing executive officer, marketing, sales and customer services, Mazda Motor Corporation. He joined Ford of Britain in 1980 as a graduate trainee.
“Stephen did an outstanding job leading Volvo back to profitability and has a strong record of delivering results for Ford of Europe,” Mulally said. “We are thrilled that he will be returning to lead Ford of Europe to build upon the tremendous foundation of great products and profitable growth we have in the region.”
Odell will lead the Ford of Europe team responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 51 individual markets, as well as Ford’s Export Operations & Global Growth Initiatives. This year, Ford of Europe plans to reveal or introduce more than 11 new models and derivatives, along with a host of new, customer-focused technologies.
Rowley, currently chief financial officer of Volvo, becomes chief financial officer, Ford of Europe, after the sale of Volvo closes. Concurrently, Bryan Myers, who has served as acting chief financial officer, Ford of Europe, since the end of 2009, will return to his previous role as controller, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.
Farley to lead Global Marketing, Sales and Service
Farley has led Ford’s Global Marketing operations since he joined the company in November 2007. In September 2009, Ford’s operations in Canada, Mexico and South America were added to his responsibilities and today the regions are well positioned for continued growth.
Under Farley’s leadership, Ford is creating a strengthened Global Marketing, Sales and Service operation to complement its Global Product Development, Global Manufacturing and Global Purchasing operations, as the company moves to further improve its brands image globally and launches an unprecedented number of vehicles. Farley will work closely with Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development, to further develop Ford’s complete family of world class vehicles that customers want and value
“As we accelerate our profitable growth plan around the world, it is critical that we build a world-class global marketing, sales and service operation. There is no one better to lead this effort than Jim Farley,” Mulally said. “Jim has been instrumental in building the Ford brand to unprecedented strength in North America, and we are fortunate to have his experience and expertise to accelerate this progress globally.”
