Ms Phipps will continue to be based in the US, where she currently leads brand communications and content, and previously worked on mobility communications.

In her new role, effective February 1, Ms Phipps will be responsible for leading the overall communications function and strategy across International Markets Group – the regional group in which Australia is a key market.

Ms Phipps will report to Mark Truby, Ford’s chief communications officer.

Prior to arriving in the US in 2018, Ms Phipps spent four years based in Shanghai as Asia-Pacific and China product communications director for Ford Motor Company.

She started at Ford Motor Company Australia in 1999, rising to become communications and public affairs director, before moving to China in 2014.

Ford has many Australians in key head office positions in the US, including engineer and product development specialist at Ford Australia Trevor Worthington, now vice-president of global product development operations and vehicle programs; Todd Willing, now global design director; and Craig Metros, design director.

Sinead Phipps

By Neil Dowling