Ford names new sales and marketing chief

FORD Australia has announced the appointment of its fourth sales and marketing chief in the past five years, with head of Canada sales Graeme Whickman set to relocate to Australia as Brad Brownell repatriates to the United States.

Mr Brownell has served as vice-president of marketing, sales and service since late 2011, having replaced Beth Donovan, a fellow American who likewise returned to Ford’s head office in Dearborn, Michigan, to take up another role.

Ms Donovan joined Ford Australia in September 2008 amid a string of senior management departures, replacing Mark Winslow who had been promoted to the Asia-Pacific and Africa (APA) regional office.

Mr Whickman officially starts in the role on September 1, while Mr Brownell will take up the position of general manager for Ford’s ‘east market’ region.

Currently vice-president of sales at Ford Motor Company Canada, Mr Whickman has held a variety of senior positions for the Blue Oval brand over more than 15 years, including executive director of marketing for the APA regional office, and marketing chief and dealer operations manager for Ford in New Zealand.

He also spent around four years with Ford in the UK, undertaking roles such as CRM manager and rental account manager.

In Australia, Mr Whickman will play a leading role in the company’s move from a vehicle manufacturer to a full-line importer over the next three years.

Among those reporting to him will be recently appointed general sales manager Neale Hill, who was previously managing director of Ford New Zealand.

In a statement, Ford Australia president and CEO Bob Graziano said Mr Whickman will lead all areas of the company’s marketing, sales and service operations, including “responsibility for revitalising the Ford brand and customer experience”.

“Graeme’s appointment reflects the depth of talent we have available within Ford Motor Company globally and we look forward to him bringing the experience he has gained in multiple roles in Canada, Asia-Pacific, Great Britain and New Zealand to bear here in Australia,” he said.

Mr Graziano also said Mr Brownell had been “instrumental in establishing a number of new customer relationship processes and working very closely with our dealers to improve the Ford brand”.