DUNTON, UK, January 17, 2022 – Dan Jones has been appointed director, Communications & Public Affairs, Ford of Britain and Ireland, effective from April 1, 2022.
Dan will be responsible for all of Ford’s earned media product and corporate communications activities in the UK and Ireland, and will report to Elvira Schachermeier, vice president, Communications & Public Affairs, Ford of Europe.
“I am thrilled to re-join the team where I started my journey at Ford, and feel privileged to unite with some of the most talented and experienced colleagues of any communications team, said Dan. “The opportunity to help narrate the next chapter of Ford’s story in the UK doesn’t come along very often and I cannot wait to get started.”
Currently the senior manager, Passenger Vehicle Communications, Ford of Europe, Dan started his career at Ford in 2009. His past experience comes from product and corporate roles in the UK, product launch strategy across Europe and North America, and most recently, leading communications for Ford of Europe’s passenger vehicle division.
Dan currently lives in Essex with his wife Alexina, and son Harry. Dan enjoys cooking, DIY, skiing when he can, and on weekends playing as a midfielder for Chelmsford Hockey Club.
In his new UK and Ireland role, Dan succeeds John Gardiner, executive director, Communications & Public Affairs, Ford of Britain and Ireland, and Corporate Communications, Ford of Europe, who is retiring from Ford at the end of March after more than 30 years.
“It is exciting to see Dan take over his new role. His extensive experience will be key in delivering our core objectives in the UK and Ireland, including building reputation and purchase consideration and helping the team expand its communications capabilities as we continue our electrification journey,” said Elvira Schachermeier.
“I also want to thank John for his service over the years, not only in our largest European market but also for his outstanding work in playing a leading role in developing and implementing the communications strategy behind Ford’s ongoing business transformation in Europe.”
John said: “I’ve had a great time at the Blue Oval, working in different PR and governmental roles in various global locations, and have been proud to have played a small role in helping to tell the Ford story. I’m delighted Dan is taking on the mantle in the UK and Ireland as he has a great reputation with the media and a wonderful team to support him.”
The UK is Ford’s third largest global market and accounts for almost a third of the company’s European sales. Ford directly employs around 7,000 people in the UK, with thousands more employed in its extensive dealer network. The Ford Britain Dunton Campus in Essex is the home of Ford’s European commercial vehicle business group, the Ford of Britain national sales company, Ford’s banking arm – Ford Credit Europe – and powertrain engineering. Ford is one of the UK’s top export businesses, accounting for around £2.5 billion annually.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford trucks, utility vehicles, and cars – increasingly including electrified versions – and Lincoln luxury vehicles; provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company; and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected vehicle services. Ford employs approximately 186,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.
About Ford of Britain
The UK is Ford’s third-largest global market, accounting for around 30 percent of Ford total vehicle sales in Europe, and directly employing around 7,000 people in the country with thousands more employed in its extensive dealer network. The Ford Britain Dunton Campus in Essex is the home of Ford’s European commercial vehicle business group, the Ford of Britain national sales company, Ford’s banking arm – Ford Credit Europe – and powertrain engineering. Ford is one of the UK’s top exporters, with its exports accounting for around £2.5 billion annually.
