Following the news yesterday that 28-year company veteran Mark Fields was (asked to be) shown the door as CEO of Ford, the automaker’s board of directors have named their man to take over: Jim Hackett, formerly head of their Smart Mobility unit.
Earlier reports have indicated that Fields had come under fire from a board unhappy with the company’s financials and growth in certain key areas, particularly with regard to developing vehicles for the future of the automotive industry.
Hackett, Ford’s newly minted president and CEO, should have this matter well within his wheelhouse, elevating the self-driving division he was charged with to new heights in the race to bring semi and fully autonomous vehicles to mass market showrooms.
Like his predecessor, Hackett will report to Executive Chairman Bill Ford, leading the automaker’s worldwide operations and over 202,000 employees. “Jim Hackett is the right CEO to lead Ford during this transformative period for the auto industry and the broader mobility space. He’s a true visionary who brings a unique, human-centred leadership approach to our culture, products and services that will unlock the potential of our people and our business,” said Mr Ford.
On his new appointment, the 62 year old said: “I am so excited to work with Bill Ford and the entire team to create an even more dynamic and vibrant Ford that improves people’s lives around the world, and creates value for all of our stakeholders,”
“I have developed a deep appreciation for Ford’s people, values and heritage during the past four years as part of the company and look forward to working together with everyone tied to Ford during this transformative period.”
Concurrent with the CEO shakeup, Ford has also taken the opportunity to shuffle some new appointments to critical roles within the board. Jim Farley, formerly the head of Ford Europe, Middle East, and Africa, now has an expanded role as the executive vice president and president of Global Markets.
Joe Hinrichs is now Ford’s executive vice president and president of Global Operations where prior he was leading the company’s North and South American concerns since 2012. Marcy Klevorn, previously group vice president of Information Technology and CIO, is now made executive vice president and president of Mobility.
“We are fortunate to have three dynamic and talented leaders in Jim Farley, Joe Hinrichs and Marcy Klevorn taking on greater responsibility,” Bill Ford said. “Each has a track record of driving innovation, cost efficiency and delivering results around the world. They will work closely with Jim Hackett to lead Ford’s day-to-day operations, build our brand and capitalise on emerging opportunities.”
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