Ford Appoints Jim Hackett to Succeed Mark Fields as CEO

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Dearborn automaker Ford Motor Co. today announced it has appointed Jim Hackett as president and CEO following former CEO Mark Field’s retirement after 28 years with the company. Hackett has served as executive chairman of Ford Smart Mobility since March 2016, and was formerly CEO of Steelcase Inc. and interim athletic director at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

“We’re moving from a position of strength to transform Ford for the future,” says executive chairman Bill Ford. “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-centered leadership approach to our culture, products, and services that will unlock the potential of our people and our business.”

Hackett will report to Ford and lead the company’s worldwide operations and manage 202,000 employees globally. Hackett and Ford will focus on three priorities: sharpening operational execution to enhance quality, modernizing Ford’s business and using new tools and techniques to further innovation, and ensuring the company has the right culture, talent, and strategy to handle future challenges.

Ford also announced a new structure for operations, including three new leaders reporting to Hackett.

Jim Farley, executive vice president and president of Ford Europe, Middle East, and Africa since Jan. 2015, has been appointed executive vice president of global markets. He will oversee Ford’s business units for The Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific markets. Farley will also manage Lincoln Motor Co. and global marketing sales and service, and the strategy and business model development for electrified and autonomous vehicles.

Joe Hinrichs was appointed executive vice president and president for global operations, having served as Ford’s executive vice president and president of The Americas since Dec. 2012. In this role, Hinrichs will direct Ford’s global product development, manufacturing and labor affairs, quality, purchasing, sustainability, and environmental safety engineering.

Marcy Klevorn, was appointed executive vice president and president for mobility and will oversee Ford Smart Mobility, Hackett’s former division, which was formed last year to accelerate the company’s plans to design, build, grow, and invest in emerging mobility services. Klevorn has served as group vice president, information technology and chief information officer since Jan. 2017.

All three appointments will take effect June 1, and new leaders to succeed Farley, Hinrichs, and Klevorn will be announced at a later date.