COLOGNE, Germany, Dec. 7, 2018 – Ford is implementing key leadership and organizational changes to improve the fitness and agility of its European operations as it undergoes a fundamental reset and redesign of its business.
The organizational changes support Ford’s Sprint to 6 Reset & Redesign plan in Europe to achieve a 6 percent EBIT margin, with a view to investing only in those vehicles, services and segments that best support a long-term, sustainably profitable business.
To accelerate its redesign efforts, Ford is appointing dedicated leaders to work with key stakeholders to guide its transformation in Germany and the UK – the company’s two largest markets in Europe – to help create a more fit and future-focused business.
Gunnar Herrmann is named executive director, Business Transformation, Ford of Germany, leading the implementation of Ford’s Sprint to 6 Reset & Redesign plan in Germany, reporting to Armstrong. This complements Herrmann’s existing role as chairman, Ford-Werke GmbH.
At the same time, Graham Hoare is appointed executive director, Business Transformation, Ford of Britain, leading the Sprint to 6 Reset & Redesign transition of Ford’s business in the UK, also reporting to Armstrong.
“Gunnar and Graham bring vast expertise to their new roles leading our reset and redesign plan in their respective countries,” said Steve Armstrong, group vice president and president, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Working closely with the rest of the European leadership team, they will play a key role in creating a long-term sustainably profitable business for the benefit of our customers, employees, partners and communities.”
As the latest step in the company’s restructuring of its global salaried workforce, these organizational changes also aim to increase spans of control, speed decision-making and reduce bureaucracy.
Hoare’s responsibilities as director, Global Vehicle Evaluation and Verification, Ford of Europe, will be assumed by Andrew Brumley, chief engineer, Vehicle Evaluation and Verification, Ford of Europe.
Herrmann’s responsibilities leading the Quality skill team will be assumed by Lee Walker, who is named director, Quality, Ford of Europe. Quality now will report through to Caspar Dirk Hohage, who picks up responsibility for this skill team in addition to his existing responsibilities as vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.
At the same time, Kevin Reynolds, executive director, Strategy, Ford of Europe, is electing to retire after more than four decades with the company, effective Dec. 31, 2018.
“Kevin has been central to driving the strategy of a number of key projects and changes we have implemented in our business in the past decade, including the spin-off of Jaguar Land Rover and the creation of some of our most successful joint ventures, said Armstrong. “We thank Kevin for his leadership during his more than 40 years at Ford, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Reynolds’ replacement leading the Strategy skill team will be the subject of a future announcement. Strategy will report through to Will Periam, in addition to his existing responsibilities as chief financial officer and vice president, Finance.
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and eight unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
