Ford Motor Company has announced a series of leadership changes designed to strengthen its global operations.

"These global leadership appointments underscore our relentless commitment to building a truly world-class team across Ford, united by a singular focus: delivering product excellence and quality for our customers globally," said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO.

Effective November 1, Jim Baumbick has been appointed president of Ford Europe. Baumbick, who most recently served as vice president of Advanced Product Development, Cycle Planning and Programs, will lead the strategic direction of Ford's European business unit. In this role, he will focus on aligning with key regional stakeholders, developing products tailored to European customers, and driving faster, more efficient execution. He will report to Ford vice chair John Lawler.

Baumbick succeeds his previous role as vice president of Advanced Product Development, Cycle Planning and Programs, which will now be filled by Sam Basile. Basile joins Ford from General Motors, where he spent nearly three decades in leadership positions, most recently as vice president of Global Product Programs. He joins Ford on October 13 and will report to Ford chief operating officer Kumar Galhotra.

Bryce Currie, currently vice president of Americas Manufacturing, assumes an expanded global role as Chief Manufacturing Officer with responsibility for manufacturing and safety worldwide. Kieran Cahill, vice president of Industrial Operations Europe and IMG, will report to Currie.

Andrew Frick, president of Ford Blue and Model e, will now also lead the Lincoln Motor Company. With this change, Ford's global retail business units for gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles, including Lincoln, will be unified under one leader. Joaquin Nuño-Whelan will continue as president of Lincoln, reporting to Frick.

Ford also announced the retirements of two longtime product development and engineering executives: Chuck Gray, vice president of Vehicle Hardware Engineering, and Darren Palmer, vice president of EV Programs.

Gray, who retires December 1, built a reputation for engineering excellence and made lasting contributions to the Industrial System team and the company as a whole. He will be succeeded by Charles Poon, currently director of Electrified Propulsion Engineering. Poon becomes vice president of Vehicle Hardware Engineering on November 1, reporting to Galhotra.

Palmer, a founding member of Team Edison, played a pivotal role in shaping Ford's electric vehicle strategy and helped launch the Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit. His retirement is effective November 1.

For more information, visit the Ford website.