Ford appoints new managers

Dave Parker joined Ford in 1977 and has worked at Ford Dagenham for almost a decade, overseeing a number of changes, including preparation for the new, next generation, low-CO2 2.0-litre diesel engine that will be produced at Dagenham and designed and engineered at Ford's Technical Centre in Dunton, Essex. His replacement is Martin Everitt (pictured), who was assistant plant manager at Dagenham prior to his appointment as Ford Bridgend plant manager in 2012. Everitt joined Ford as a graduate recruit in 1989 and has since worked in Powertrain Operations, including roles in Dearborn, Michigan and Cologne, Germany. His responsibilities have included engineering the production facilities for the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. Ian Pearson is taking on the role of Ford Bridgend plant manager, having recently been the Craiova engine plant manager in Romania. Pearson joined Ford in 1977 as an apprentice toolmaker and has held a variety of senior manufacturing positions including roles in Valencia and Dagenham. Combined production from Ford Bridgend and Ford Dagenham in 2013 exceeded 1.5 million engines and over a 30-year period the two plants have produced 33 million engines. Significant new investments have been announced at both facilities, including the new, next-generation diesel engine at Ford Dagenham and a new, fuel-efficient high-tech EcoBoost petrol engine at Ford Bridgend.