Ford: Leadership changes in China, India, global strategy, finance
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Stuart Rowley, previously vice president and controller, has been named to the new position of vice president of strategy.
Previously, Mr. Rowley served as vice president and Controller of Ford Motor Company since April 1, 2012. He also served as chief financial officer, Ford of Europe, beginning in August 2010.
Mr. Rowley was chief financial officer and senior vice president of Volvo Car Corporation in Gothenburg, Sweden, a position he held since March 2005 after serving as the company’s deputy CFO and operations controller. Between 2000 and July 2004, he was vice president, finance, Ford Australia.
Mr. Rowley joined Ford Motor Company in 1990 as financial analyst for Ford of Britain. He worked in several management positions in product development finance and manufacturing finance in Britain and the U.S. before being appointed finance director, Ford Motor Company Philippines, in January 1998, a position he held until moving to Ford Australia.
He has a Bachelor’s of Engineering (Hons) degree from the University of Leeds and an MBA from the Manchester Business School.
John Lawler, vice president and chairman and chief executive officer, Ford China, is appointed vice president and controller, Ford Motor Company, succeeding Mr. Rowley.
Previously, Mr. Lawler served as a Ford Motor Company vice president and chairman, chief executive officer of Ford China, appointed December 2012.
Prior to his Ford China role, Mr. Lawler served as the chief financial officer for Ford Asia Pacific and Africa, based in Shanghai. He was a key member of the team that led the company’s North American turnaround, serving as controller of U.S. Marketing and Sales from January 2007 until moving to China in 2010.
In the U.S. position, he was responsible for key business strategies including pricing and business planning, and led the company’s efforts to reduce complexity and overhaul dealer policies.
He joined Ford Motor Company in 1990 and served in a variety of roles in North America, Europe and Asia. His assignments included serving as a controller in Ford of Europe’s Product Development organization and a finance leader with Mazda Motor Corporation in Japan.
Mr. Lawler earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Knox College in 1988 and an MBA from the University of Iowa in 1990.
At the same time, leadership of Ford’s operations in China – including the Ford China import business as well as Ford’s passenger car joint venture Changan Ford and commercial vehicle joint venture Jiangling Motors Corporation – will be directed by Dave Schoch, group vice president and president of Asia Pacific.
Dave Schoch will add the title of chairman and chief executive officer, Ford China.
Mr. Schoch was named Ford Motor Company group vice president and president, Asia Pacific effective Dec 1, 2012. On June 1, 2016, he was named to the additional role of chairman and chief executive officer, Ford China. He is based in Shanghai, China.
Prior to being named president of Ford’s Asia Pacific operations, Mr. Schoch held the role of chairman and CEO, Ford China. He has served in a variety of positions around the world since joining the company as a financial analyst in 1977.
This includes serving as controller, The Americas, as well as executive director, Ford Canada, Mexico and South America Operations. He also served as chief financial officer and vice president of Strategic Planning for Ford of Europe.
Before joining Ford of Europe, he was chief financial officer of Ford Asia-Pacific Operations. Mr. Schoch’s extensive global experience also includes senior leadership positions in South America and South Africa.
He received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lycoming College and his MBA in Finance from Temple University.
Marin Burela, president of Changan Ford, has announced his intention to retire October 1 and is named Asia Pacific special advisor.
Prior to this, Mr. Burela served as president of Ford’s China joint venture, Changan Ford Automobile Co., Ltd. He was appointed to this role on Nov. 1, 2010 and appointed by Ford’s Board of Directors as a company officer in May 2012.
He also served as president and CEO of Ford Australia where he was responsible for driving the success of Ford Australia operations, while continuing the integration and execution of the One Ford plan.
Mr. Burela began his career with Ford in 1984 after completing Ford Australia’s engineering graduate program. He has served in a variety of positions in Manufacturing, Sales and Marketing, and Product Development.
In 2004, he joined Ford of Europe to lead the development of Ford’s Global Small Car product portfolio, including the new global Ford Fiesta. Mr. Burela held the position of Vehicle Line executive director, Global Small Car Segment Vehicles, Ford of Europe.
In addition to his roles at Ford, Mr. Burela has held senior management positions at Jaguar and Land Rover. At Land Rover, he was responsible for the group’s global manufacturing operations, and was appointed to the Board of Land Rover in 2000. He also was appointed to the Board of Jaguar and Land Rover in 2002 before re-joining Ford of Europe in 2004.
Nigel Harris, president and managing director of Ford India is elected a company officer and named president of Changan Ford, succeeding Mr. Burela. Mr. Harris’ successor will be named at a later date.
Prior to this, Mr. Harrris served as managing director and president, Ford India from February 2014.
Mr. Harris began his Ford career in 1985 in New Zealand, as a fleet sales analyst and has held various positions within marketing and sales across Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific.
This includes serving in Changan Ford as the general manager for sales from 2007 until 2012. Following his previous role at Changan Ford, Mr. Harris led all sales and services operations across Asia Pacific as the vice president Sales & Service, Ford Asia Pacific. Mr. Harris is based at Changan Ford’s headquarters in Chongqing, China. ■