Ford appoints Jim Benintende to lead operations in Middle East and Africa

Ford Motor Company announced the appointment of Jim Benintende to the newly-created position of president, Ford Middle East and Africa.

Effective Sept. 1, Benintende will lead Ford’s new, consolidated Middle East and Africa regional business unit headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and report to Stephen Odell, executive vice president and president, Ford of Europe, Middle East and Africa.

“We’re fortunate to have a leader with Jim’s track record and global experience to lead Ford in the Middle East and Africa,” Odell said. “Under the One Ford plan, Jim and his team will be able to leverage our global product portfolio and our scale to better serve customers in this dynamic and growing region.”

Reporting to Benintende will be Jeffrey Nemeth, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company Southern Africa, who also will take on responsibility for markets in sub-Saharan Africa, and KalyanaSivagnanam, general manager, Ford Middle East and North Africa.

Benintende, 58, has significant experience in the Middle East and Africa region, most recently as director, Ford Export Operations and Global Growth Initiatives, an organization that had responsibility for several Middle Eastern and African markets. He also was previously managing director of Ford Middle East and North Africa.

“I’m delighted to be taking on this new challenge, and to be working with Jeffrey and Kalyana who are both seasoned professionals in this part of the world,” Benintende said. “Our intention is to grow the Ford business while staying true to our principles of being active and supportive members of the community in the Middle East and Africa.”