Ford revamps leadership to quicken transformation plan

DETROIT: Ford Motor Company announced both leadership and organisational changes to its global automotive operations to accelerate its Creating Tomorrow Together transformation plan.

The revamp, to take place on May 1, is the result of a 10-week deep dive led by Ford COO Jim Farley. It is aimed at sharpening Ford’s focus on product and launch execution; fully leveraging smart, connected vehicles and big data to better serve customers; improving quality and lowering costs; and creating a dedicated commercial vehicle business in the US and Canada.

“Under Jim Farley’s leadership, we are empowering a talented and diverse group of leaders – from inside and outside the company -- to continue to drive our transformation into a higher-growth, higher-margin business,” said Ford CEO Jim Hackett.

Farley said Ford is urgently moving forward to improve the health of the business and its launches, while at the same time modernising it.

Among the key changes are the following:

> Kumar Galhotra, 54, takes on an expanded role as president, Americas & International Markets Group, and continues to report to Farley. The North America, South America and International Markets Group business units will report to Galhotra. He will also take charge of a newly established commercial vehicle business for the US and Canada.

> Retired Col. Gil Gur Arie, 44, joins the company from the Israeli Military Intelligence Corps as chief, Global Data Insight and Analytics, reporting to Farley. In this position, he will lead the Ford team through the digital revolution and develop Ford’s big-data and AI strategy in the coming years.

> Stuart Taylor, 48, is appointed executive director, Enterprise Connectivity, reporting to Hau Thai-Tang, chief product development and purchasing officer. In this newly created role, Taylor is responsible for developing and implementing a suite of connectivity solutions that will support all areas of our business.

“The creation of the Enterprise Connectivity organisation provides seamless end-to-end ownership for connectivity between the vehicle, consumer, and infrastructure within Ford. Establishing this new organisation, along with these appointments will help us accelerate the delivery of human-centred, connected experiences for our customers and realise our vision of delivering intelligent vehicles in an increasingly connected world,” said Thai-Tang.