Ford has lined up six possible successors to current CEO Alan Mulally (63).

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Candidates include head of marketing, Jim Farley (45), and head of finance, Don Leclair (56), according to Automotive News. Mulally’s contract runs until 2011, with the option of extending that another year.


Ford’s soon-to-depart* head of personnel, Joe Laymon, told Automotive News a successor would take on a clear role as number two in the company 6-12 months before the changeover. Ford has a clear preference for an in-house candidate, but if no-one proved to be suitable it would look externally.


The other candidates are Ford of Europe head Lewis Booth (59), Ford Europe chief operating officer  Stephen Odell (53), Americas chief Mark Fields (47) and global production head Joe Hinrichs (41).


*Ford on Wednesday announced the appointment of Felicia Fields as group vice president of human resources and corporate services, reporting to Mulally and replacing Laymon who has been appointed head of human resources and medical services at Chevron Corporation.

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The automaker said it would not replace Fields in her current position as vice president for human resources, eliminating one officer position.


Marty Mulloy, vice president for labour affairs, now will report to Hinrichs while maintaining a functional tie to Fields.


“By formally linking our global manufacturing and global labour affairs organisations, we will be able to ensure the alignment of our manufacturing and labor strategies on a global basis,” Mulally said in a statement.