Ford has announced senior management changes that it says will support a redesigned organisational structure and ‘focus on fitness’. The personnel changes follow CEO Jim Hackett’s cost-cutting and rebalancing strategy announced earlier this month.

Among the changes is the retirement of veteran Ford executive Stephen Odell. Odell is retiring after 37 years of service with Ford and Kumar Galhotra will add his global marketing responsibilities to his current role leading Lincoln. He will report to Jim Farley, executive vice president and president, Global Markets.

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“Stephen has made significant contributions to Ford, including laying the groundwork for our turnaround in Europe and positioning us for success as we continue to create a world-class global marketing and sales organisation,” said Hackett. “In addition, he has mentored and helped develop many of our next generation of leaders. We appreciate his many years of service and wish him well in the future.”

Linda Cash will lead ‘Quality and New Model Launch’, succeeding Bennie Fowler who is retiring after serving 27 years at Ford.

“Ford has made significant strides in improving vehicle quality globally under Bennie’s leadership,” said Hackett. “He has an absolute unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and we are grateful for his contributions to our success. We wish him all the best.”

See Also:

Dale Wishnousky is to lead Manufacturing, Ford of Europe, succeeding Cash.

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Among other changes:

  • Birgit Behrendt is named to a newly created position leading Joint Ventures, Alliances and Commercial Affairs, Ford of Europe.
  • Lisa Drake will lead Global Powertrain Purchasing and Global Purchasing Operations, succeeding Behrendt.
  • Felicia Fields is retiring after 31-year career at Ford; Kiersten Robinson to act as interim Human Resources leader.
  • John Casesa elects to leave Ford as the company realigns global strategy.
  • Joy Falotico, Ford Credit chairman and CEO, and group vice president of Ford Motor company now reports to Ford CEO Jim Hackett

“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 organization to deliver the most value for our customers and all of our stakeholders,” said Hackett. “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 recognize the truly significant contributions of the senior leaders departing from Ford and thank them for their many years of service.”

See also: Ford CEO Hackett sets out ‘fitness push’ strategy