Ford Appoints Nigel Sharp To Head UK Sales

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 29 November, 2005 – Nigel Sharp, one of Ford’s most experienced European executives, is returning to the UK to lead Ford of Britain’s sales team.
Nigel replaces Morten Hannesbo, who has been appointed to the newly created position of regional director, Austria and Switzerland and managing director, Ford Switzerland. Both appointments become effective on January 1, 2006.

In making this announcement, managing director of Ford of Britain, Paul Thomas, paid tribute to Hannesbo’s achievements. “In one of the most brutally competitive markets Morten has successfully kept the blue oval out in front in his two years here, despite ever more challenging conditions,” he said, “and thanks to the energy of him and his team, we will finish this year as market leader, as we have for the past 28 years.”

London-born Nigel Sharp returns to the UK after holding a number of senior finance, sales and marketing appointments across Europe, including stints as managing director of Ford’s operations in Hungary, Czech Republic, Turkey and, latterly, Switzerland.

“We are delighted to welcome Nigel back to the UK,” said Paul Thomas. "It is the market where he started his automotive career in 1972 and his 35 years of experience will be a unique advantage for us.

“Ford is preparing a host of exciting new products for launch in 2006,” Thomas added, “and Nigel will be ideally placed to work with our dealer network to make the most of them and extend our lead in the market.”

Nigel Sharp is married and has one daughter. He and his family will live near Brentwood in Essex.

Contact Information

Marcey Evans

HR, Labor Affairs and Health Care Public Affairs Manager

Ford Motor Company

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