Ford has promoted European marketing, sales and service chief Stephen Odell to chief operating officer, reporting to president and CEO John Fleming.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


From 1 April, that puts him in charge of product development, manufacturing and purchasing as well as marketing, sales and service operations.


Odell joined Ford in 1980 and has held key positions at Ford of Europe, Mazda and Jaguar.


“Stephen has done an excellent job of reinvigorating our marketing, sales and service functions since he returned to Ford of Europe,” Fleming said. “As we move into a more intensive phase of our global transformation, now is the right time to make more of Stephen’s extensive operational experience around the world. Giving him operational responsibility for Ford of Europe will help us raise our game as we take a prominent role in developing new vehicles globally.”


Ingvar Sviggum will replace Odell in the marketing, sales and service role.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Auto Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Auto Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving automotive industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now