Steve Odell: heads Europe.

The head of Volvo is to lead Ford in Europe said the global automotive giant on 15 July as it announced a series of key executive appointments designed to sharpen its senior leadership team’s focus on the ‘One Ford’ plan and to support the company’s growth around the world.

At the same time, Ford is appointing a global sales and marketing boss from the beginning of next month.

The changes affect Ford’s Global Manufacturing & Labor Affairs, Ford of Europe, Global Marketing, Sales and Service, and Latin American operations. The moves include:

• John Fleming (58) Ford executive vice president currently serving dual roles as chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe and head of Global Manufacturing and Labor affairs, will lead the company’s Global Manufacturing & Labor Affairs operations;
• Stephen Odell (55) currently CEO of Volvo Cars, is appointed a Ford group vice president and succeeds Fleming as chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe; and
• Stuart Rowley (43) chief financial officer of Volvo, becomes chief financial officer, Ford of Europe.

All three appointments will be effective upon the closing of Ford’s sale of Volvo to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Limited, expected to occur later this quarter.

New global sales boss

From 1 August, Ford’s current group vice president, Global Marketing and Canada, Mexico and South America operations, Jim Farley (48) will take an expanded role as Ford’s global leader for marketing, sales and service around the world. This marks the first time Ford has a single global leader for marketing, sales and service.

In parallel, Ford is reorganising its operations in Canada, Mexico and South America. From 1 August, Eduardo Serrano (50), currently president and CEO of Ford of Mexico, is appointed executive director, Latin America, with responsibility for the company’s operations in Mexico and South America. David Mondragon will continue as president, Ford of Canada. Both Serrano and Mondragon will report to Mark Fields, Ford executive vice president and president of the Americas. 

‘These moves allow us to strengthen our global team as we accelerate our One Ford plan and continue to profitably grow serving our customers around the world,’ Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally told ModernSelling.com.

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