Ford family member named head of global brand merchandising

A member of a new generation of Ford family members is taking on another leadership role at the automaker.

Alexandra Ford English, the daughter of Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford, was named global brand merchandising director for the Dearborn, Michigan, company on Monday.

English, 33, who already serves on the company’s board of directors, will push for growth in sales of Ford brand merchandise.

The appointment likely is another step toward ushering in the next generation of company leaders from the Ford family. Bill Ford is 64.

English was elected to Ford’s board in May along with Henry Ford III, the son of Edsel Ford, who retired earlier this year after 33 years as a director. Both of the younger Fords are greatgreat-grandchildren of company founder Henry Ford.