Ford US chief departs after behaviour probe

DETROIT: Ford Motor Co said that Raj Nair, its president for North America, was leaving the company immediately after an internal investigation found his behaviour was “inconsistent with the company’s code of conduct.”

Ford did not give any details on what that behaviour entailed. A company spokesman said the review was launched in the past few weeks after Ford received a report of inappropriate behaviour.

Nair’s departure comes after several high-profile business leaders and politicians have quit or been fired in the past year following accusations of sexual harassment, with the social media movement known as #MeToo pressing for more accountability in corporate cultures.

“We made this decision after a thorough review and careful consideration,” said Ford Chief Executive Jim Hackett in a statement. “Ford is deeply committed to providing and nurturing a safe and respectful culture and we expect our leaders to fully uphold these values.”

As North American chief, Nair was responsible for operations that generate about 90 per cent of Ford’s global profits. Nair apologised, without elaborating.

“I sincerely regret that there have been instances where I have not exhibited leadership behaviours consistent with the principles that the Company and I have always espoused,” Nair said in Ford’s statement.

The company is not investigating other executives for similar cases, a Ford spokesman said.

Nair, 53, was appointed to his current position last May when Hackett became CEO of the No 2 US automaker. — Reuters