Tributes to designer Chris
SUNDERLAND MAN HAD INTERNATIONAL ROLES WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY
A “talented designer” and “inspiring leader” who forged a glittering career with the giant Ford Motor Company has died at the age of 52.
Chris Svensson was born and raised in Sunderland and undertook a foundation art course at the city’s then polytechnic before joining the car company and occupying senior positions in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America and Australia.
Having retired on July 1 as global design director, Mr Svensson died at the weekend following a battle with cancer.
A Ford Motor Company spokesman said: “We are sad to learn of the passing of Ford design director Chris Svensson. “Chris was a talented designer, an inspiring leader and a friend to many people. He made countless contributions to Ford during his 26-year career and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
MrSvensson,whosegrandfather was Swedish, graduated from Coventry University’s vehicle design course in 1990 after leaving Sunderland Polytechnic.
He joined Ford as an exterior designer in 1992. In 2010 he was appointed design director of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa, where he oversaw the Asia Pacific Design Centre, in Melbourne, Australia, before becoming design director of the Americas in 2014.
Mr Svensson is survived by his wife and two daughters.