Story: RALPH MORTON

LONG-SERVING fleet director of Ford, Kevin Griffin, is moving on in the Ford hierarchy to be replaced by Phil Hollins.

Phil, most recently director of product marketing – a post he has held since 2010 – will take over as director, fleet operations Ford of Britain from 01 January 2013.

Phil Hollins is something of a Ford lifer. Born in 1961, Phil joined as a graduate trainee in 1985, gaining experience across the sales and marketing functions at Ford before joining Ford in North America in 1994, first in the US, then at Ford of Canada as cross vehicle line marketing manager in 1996.

Three years later Phil returned to Ford of Britain to take on the role as director marketing Ford Credit – Ford’s finance arm – before being appointed director dealer operations Ford of Britain in 1999.

In 2002 Phil moved to Ford of Europe as director European retail management before taking on his current role as director product marketing, which he took up in 2010.

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain managing director, said: “Phil will be a great addition to our team. He brings a wealth of experience in the global automotive business to Ford of Britain’s fleet operations.

“Phil will build on the excellent foundations provided by Kevin who has established a highly successful, disciplined approach to all areas of fleet sales that has matched market leading results with solid business returns.”

Phil, who lists running, golf and supporting Chester FC among his pastimes, lives in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, with his wife and two children.

However, it’s not the end of the ebullient Kevin Griffin.

Kevin, who has been fleet director at Ford since 2003, will be taking on the role of director, commercial vehicles Ford of Europe, a role which starts on 01 January 2013.

Commercial vehicles are very much at the forefront of Ford’s future plans, with an extensive roll out of new vehicles.

Already launched is the Ford Ranger pick-up and all-new Ford Transit Custom, which was followed by the two tonne Ford Transit at the recent Hannover Show.

Further new models include a new Ford Transit Custom and a smaller Ford Courier van.

Last week Kevin picked up two awards for Ford vans as the ACFO fleet awards, for best small van and best large van – see the stories in our sister publication: Ford makes the best business vans on the market.