Ford UK Chairman Greenwell retires after 40 years
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Ford's Joe Greenwell, left, with Mark Ovenden. |
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LONDON -- Ford of Britain Managing Director Mark Ovenden will add the role of chairman to his job title when the division's chairman, Joe Greenwell, retires in April.
The UK is Ford's biggest market in Europe, accounting for 28 percent of the brand's sales across the region. Ovenden, 48, has held the managing director's position for 18 months. Previously he was president of Ford of Russia.
Greenwell, 61, has worked in the auto industry for more than 40 years. After starting as a graduate trainee with Austin Morris, he held a variety senior roles with Ford of Europe and Ford North America. One of those job was CEO of Jaguar while the luxury sports car brand was owned by Ford. Tata Motors bought Jaguar and UK-based sister brand Land Rover from Ford in 2008.
As Jaguar CEO, Greenwell in 2004 had to announce the ending of Jaguar production at the brand's historic Browns Lane factory in Coventry, England. More recently, Greenwell was president of the UK's automotive industry body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, in 2009 and 2010.
Ford is the UK's No. 1 brand by volume with a market share of 13.8 percent in 2012 and vehicle sales of 281,917, up 6 percent on the year before, ahead of Vauxhall with a market share of 11.4 percent and sales of 232,255.
You can reach Nick Gibbs at nick.gibbs@btinternet.com.
