Ford to strengthen future operations with new CEO

Ford Motor Company is recalibrating its core as the brand appointed its former Smart Mobility LLC executive chairman Jim Hackett as the new CEO. 

Executive chairman Bill Ford believes that Hackett is a “transformational business leader” that could lead the company’s future ambitions. The former chairman of Ford’s driverless division replaced Mark Fields, who Ford claims to be retiring after his 28-year service in the company. The new CEO is said to lead the entire 202,000 employees worldwide.  

We’re moving from a position of strength to transform Ford for the future. Jim Hackett is the right CEO to lead Ford during this transformative period for the auto industry and the broader mobility space. He’s a true visionary who brings a unique, human-centered leadership approach,” said Bill Ford. 

Earlier this year, the company, under the tension of the Trump administration's push to bring back jobs to the U.S., lost billions of dollars worth of investment after announcing that it is canceling its plans on Mexico assembly plant. This may have caused the company a splinter somewhere on its foot as it was forced to take risky steps when Trump came to power.

While it was from Ford's words that Fields voluntarily took his retirement, there are circling reports, like the one from Forbes, which say the other way around. The American publication suspects that the former CEO was asked to step down, stating that Ford's board of directors, including Bill Ford himself, lost their confidence on Field. The late CEO assumed the position in July 2014, taking over Alan Mulally. 

The appointment of Hackett also resulted with 3 new executive vice president and presidents who would directly report to him. Jim Farley, who will be handling Global Markets, will oversee the company's business units, as Joe Hinrichs will handle Global Operations for product development. Lastly, Marcy Klevorn will take over the Mobility division to oversee Ford Smart Mobility LLC, which was Hackett's former department. 

On the other hand, Ford also appointed 2 new leaders outside Hackett's jurisdiction. Mark Turby was appointed as the new vice president for Communications, replacing Ray Day, while Paul Ballew is the new Global Chief Data and Analytics Officer.