Ford Motor Company has made series of key leadership changes to advance its Ford+ strategy, which focuses on enhancing product, services, and software offerings.
The firm’s Ford+ plan focuses on growth by combining its strengths, new capabilities, and ongoing customer relationships.
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Sherry House, previously vice president of finance, has been appointed as Ford’s CFO, succeeding John Lawler.
Lawler will transition to the role of vice chair, where he will oversee strategy, partnerships, alliances, and corporate development.
Ford president and CEO Jim Farley said: “We continue to build a talented, mission-driven leadership team that will consistently deliver results while transforming Ford into a higher-growth, higher-margin, more durable company in this fast-changing and competitive environment.”
Marin Gjaja, previously the chief operating officer for Ford Model e, has been named chief strategy officer.
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By GlobalDataGjaja has experience in corporate strategy, having spent 25 years at Boston Consulting Group before joining Ford in 2022.
David McClelland, Ford’s vice-president of strategy and partnerships, will retire towards the end of the first quarter after a 32-year career with the company.
In a further reshuffle, Andrew Frick will assume the role of president for both Ford Blue and Ford Model e. He will continue to oversee Ford Pro on an interim basis until a successor is named.
Farley: “We have a compelling strategy in Ford+, and John’s and Marin’s experience will help us capitalise on opportunities to deploy capital and create advantages amid the major shifts taking place in technology, policy, customer preferences and new competition.”
Kay Harthas been appointed general manager of Ford Model e. She led Ford’s International Markets Group to profitability.
Harthas, who will report to Frick, was instrumental in launching the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning.
Frick added: “The Model e team will remain laser focused on delivering a profitable EV business as we launch our next-gen vehicles and solve for the unique needs and experiences of EV customers.
“At the same time, we will align our teams to improve our overall distribution and market approach to better serve our dealers, who are core to our retail execution across Ford Blue, Model e, and Pro as they become more specialised.”
Daniel Justo, vice-president of Ford Customer Service Division, will lead customer experience initiatives.
Furthermore, Ford China president and CEO Sam Wu will expand his responsibilities to include leadership of the International Markets Group.
Jeff Marentic will report to Wu in his role overseeing Ford’s International Markets Group.
Farley added: “Sam has led a significant turnaround of Ford’s China business and his leadership will be an asset as we continue to profitably grow in China and around the world.
“Success across our international markets, including ASEAN, South Africa, Australia, and Middle East markets, requires leveraging our China export business as well and competing successfully against the Chinese automakers aggressively scaling in these markets.”
