Ford of Britain Appoints New Chairman and New Managing Director - Ian McAllister Retires After 38 Years

Ian G McAllister CBE will retire on 28 February 2002 after 38 years with the company.

BRENTWOOD, 21 December, 2001 – Ford has today announced the appointment of Roger Putnam as chairman, Ford Motor Company Limited and Paul Thomas as managing director, effective from the 1 March 2002. Current chairman and managing director, Ian McAllister CBE, will retire on 28 February 2002 after 38 years with the company. The separation of the chairman and managing director roles reflects the additional demands on the chairman's role in recent years.

Roger Putnam takes up his position at Ford from Jaguar, which he joined in 1982, and has been director, sales and marketing since 1986. The chairman's role includes representing Ford in its liaison with government, NGOs and many external organisations.

Paul Thomas, currently sales director, Ford of Britain, joined the company in 1974 and progressed through marketing and sales positions within Ford of Britain, Ford Credit and Ford of Europe including brand manager before taking his existing role in April 2001. As managing director, Thomas will be responsible for all the Ford brand operations in the UK.

Paul Thomas In recognising Ian McAllister's achievements, Earl Hesterberg, vice president sales and marketing, Ford of Europe, said:" I would like to thank Ian for his significant contribution to Ford during his long and distinguished career."

Ian McAllister began his career with Ford in 1964 as a finance graduate trainee before moving onto marketing and sales in 1968. Over the next 10 years, Ian fulfilled a range of functions within Parts Operations, before joining the Ford of Britain sales force as General Field Manager, Eastern District. He then moved on to take up a number of director roles in Britain and Europe including responsibility for sales in Germany marketing at Lincoln- Mercury Division, in the US.

In 1991, Ian returned to the UK as managing director, Ford of Britain, and then assumed the additional role of chairman in 1992. His work in liaison with government and extensive involvement with a wide range of public organizations was recognized when he was awarded a CBE for his services to industry in 1996.