Ford's executive chairman Bill Ford pays tribute to the Briton who "mended relationships with our dealers, our suppliers and our employees"Sir Nick Scheele, ex Jaguar and Ford boss, has died at the age of 70. He died at his Warwickshire home on Friday.
Scheele was born in Essex on 3 January 1944 and graduated from the university of Durham. He started his distinguished career in the motor industry with Ford in 1966, eventually becoming Chairman of Jaguar in 1992.
Scheele served at Jag until 1999, in that time notably persuading Ford to convert the former Escort factory at Halewood, Merseyside to manufacture the Jaguar X-type. The same plant is now globally exporting Range Rover Evoques.
Success at Jag meant a promotion to become CEO of Ford of Europe in 2000. He crossed the Atlantic to become President and COO of the company in 2001, effectively the global number two. He was knighted in the same year.
Sir Nick retired in 2005 after which he held other posts including a directorship of British American Tobacco and Caparo. He was also chancellor of Warwick University and worked for numerous charities.
Ford's executive chairman Bill Ford said in a statement: “Not only did Nick help us overcome many challenges at the time, he mended relationships with our dealers, our suppliers and our employees, and set the stage for many of today’s leaders who are moving us forward.
"Nick Scheele was an outstanding leader whose global experience and passion for our products served Ford Motor Company at a critical time."
Scheele is survived by his wife, three children and five grandchildren.
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