Ford Motor Company has appointed Jacques Brent, previously VP of marketing for Asia Pacific, as president for Ford Middle East and Africa, a Dubai-based role effective from June.
Brent has worked with Ford for 19 years, beginning with Ford in Southern Africa. His career has spanned three continents, a range of brands, roles and experience across finance, marketing, sales and general management.
He said: “This is a great opportunity in Ford’s newest region and I look forward to continuing the growth and momentum we have established in these diverse markets.
“The team have done great job establishing the region and it is an honour for me to be able to lead this region as we embark on the next phase of our development, as well as to be once again working with South Africa.”
Brent take over from Jim Benintende, a long-serving and well-known president for the region, who has now returned to the US.
Benintende, now 60, joined Ford 40 years ago as an assembly line worker in Mahwah, New Jersey, in the US, where he worked from 1984-93 before joining Ford Export as national sales manager for Saudi Arabia and Egypt in 1993, before taking up the position of sales manager for the Middle East and North Africa from 1997, and becoming a regional MD in 2000 and regional president in 2013.
Under his leadership, Ford established its regional headquarters in Dubai, developed a long-term regional strategy, grew its retail footprint, began assembly operations in Nigeria, opened offices in North Africa and localised the Everest SUV in South Africa.
“Establishing Ford’s fifth business unit and working with the team to develop our long-term strategy for this exciting region is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done in my career,” Benintende said.
“I’ll miss the team and the dealers in MEA, and I’m looking forward to supporting sales initiatives in the US.”
