Ford Chief Creative Officer J Mays To Retire, Moray Callum Named As Successor

As part of a series of senior leadership changes meant to continue delivering its One Ford plan, Ford has announced today the retirement of group vice president and chief creative officer, Design, J Mays. The retirement comes after more than 33 years in the automotive industry.

Mays joined Ford in 1997 as vice president, Design. He was named group vice president in 2003 and one year later took on the expanded role of chief creative officer.

During his 16-year career at Ford, Mays led development of the global Ford design language visible in most of the vehicles the automaker produces around the world. In particular, Mays led the teams that developed the design for the highly-acclaimed Ford Fusion, Focus, Fiesta, Taurus, Mustang and F-150. He also was responsible for several significant concept vehicles such as the Ford Atlas, Evos, 427, Forty-Nine, Shelby GR-1, Lincoln MKZ and MKC.

“The bold and sophisticated design language that J Mays pioneered will be visible for years to come in Ford vehicles and the auto industry overall,” said Mark Fields, Ford chief operating officer. “In addition to his talent as a world-class designer, J has brought together one of the most talented design teams in the business. We are grateful for his creativity and leadership and congratulate him on his retirement from Ford.”

Mays will be succeeded by Moray Callum, who has been elected a Ford Motor Company offer and named Vice president, Design. Currently executive director, Design, The Americas, Callum will report to Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development. In his new role, Callum do fully take over the functions previously headed by Mays, including leading the design of all concept and production vehicles for the Ford and Lincoln brands globally.

Since 2006, Callum has had overall responsibility for the design of all cars and trucks designed in Ford’s North and South America studios and the new Lincoln products. His successes include the new Ford Fusion, Explorer, Mustang, EcoSport and Lincoln MKZ. Prior to that, Callum led Mazda’s design transformation from 2001 to 2006, based in Japan.

The retirement and appointment are effective January 1, 2014.

The announcement coincides with other senior leadership changes at Ford, including:

• Retirement of North American Manufacturing Chief Jim Tetreault
• Retirement of Vice President Of Labor Relations Marty Mulloy
• Appointment of Steven Armstrong as a company officer and president, Ford South America