Mixing it up: Ford Motor Co chief Jim Hackett has made sweeping changes to his leadership team as the company seeks higher sales, improved efficiencies and a strong presence in new mobility services.

FORD Motor Company president and chief executive Jim Hackett has announced sweeping changes to his senior management team, with four top global executives to leave by the end of the year as the US auto giant realigns its strategy to boost sales, reduce costs and ramp up new mobility services.

Notably, Australian executive Kiersten Robinson has been named interim head of global human resources as Felicia Fields prepares to retire after 31 years at Ford.

Ms Robinson, 47, is currently head of human resources (global markets) based at Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, where she has spent almost two years as an executive director after previously serving for six years as vice-president of HR for the Asia-Pacific and Africa region based in Shanghai.

A Melbourne University graduate, Ms Robinson has spent more than two decades working her way through the ranks at Ford in Australia and overseas across a variety of HR positions.

Among other changes announced this week, group vice-president of Ford’s Lincoln brand Kumar Galhotra will add global marketing responsibilities to his role as Stephen Odell retires after 37 years of service, Ford of Europe manufacturing chief Linda Cash will become vice-president of quality and new model launches as Bennie Fowler retires after 27 years with Ford, and former Wall Street banker John Casesa is set to leave after two years with Ford as vice-president of global strategy.

Mr Galhotra has strong ties with Australia as a former head of product development for this region, overseeing the Aussie team that developed the Ford Ranger.

Kiersten Robinson

He now reports to global markets president Jim Farley and is charged with “shifting investments towards product categories that play to Ford’s strengths, and developing more effective brand communications including digital services, e-mobility and autonomy”.

Global interior purchasing director Lisa Drake is preparing to step up as the head of global powertrain purchasing and global purchasing operations, replacing Birgit Behrendt who moves to a newly created position leading joint ventures, alliances and commercial affairs in Europe.

Director Ford’s global manufacturing business office Dale Wishnousky also now returns to Ford of Europe to take the reins of its production operations from Ms Cash, while Ford Credit chairman and CEO Joy Falotico now reports directly to Mr Hackett in a move that also reflects the current emphasis on new mobility services and “revenue-generating financing opportunities” that come with fast-growing areas such as vehicle sharing and flexible payments.

“As we develop our strategy to become the most trusted mobility company, designing smart vehicles for a smart world, we will continue to reshape the organisation to deliver the most value for our customers and all of our stakeholders,” Mr Hackett said in a statement.

“The changes we are announcing today will further align resources and improve efficiencies throughout our global markets and operations.

“At the same time, I want to recognise the truly significant contributions of the senior leaders departing from Ford and thank them for their many years of service.”

No replacement head of global strategy has been named as Mr Casesa leaves the Blue Oval brand, with Ford saying only that the company will now realign the role with the function now reporting to chief financial officer Bob Shanks.

“We thank John for his leadership in growing our global strategy capabilities, particularly
related to our progress on mobility, electrification and transportation services,” Mr Hackett said.

“We are clearly focused on delivering smart vehicles, connected to a smart transportation operating system, and have begun building out several of our new business models.”

By Terry Martin