Ford CEO shakes up management

Ford’s new CEO is shaking up the company’s senior management.

The Dearborn, Mich., automaker named a new head of global product development Thursday, as well as new heads of its operations in North America, Europe and Asia.

Among the biggest changes is the rehiring of Sherif Marakby, a longtime Ford executive who was head of Uber’s global vehicle programs for a year until he quit that job last month. Marakby is returning to Ford to lead its efforts in selfdriving and electric vehicles.

“The leadership changes we are announcing today across our global business are important as we foster even greater teamwork, accountability and nimble decision-making,” CEO Jim Hackett said in a company release.

Hau Thai-Tang was named the head of global product development. ThaiTang was most recently in charge of global purchasing at Ford Motor Co., and he will retain that role.

Ford’s former product development chief, Raj Nair, will become head of North American operations.

Hackett and Ford’s Executive Chairman Bill Ford said earlier this week that the management changes are intended to help the company make big, strategic decisions more quickly.