Jaguar boss, Australian Geoff Polites passed away at the weekend
Jaguar head and ex-Ford Australia chief, Geoff Polites, passed away in Melbourne during the weekend. The well-liked Australian had been battling cancer for over two years. He was 60.
Polites is credited with leading Jaguar Land Rover business back to profitability and steered the group through its (ongoing sale) process to Indian conglomerate, Tata Motors.
"Geoff's untimely passing robs his family and friends of a man who was a real inspiration to us all," said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company.
"His drive and determination, combined with his clear sense of vision for the business, played a huge role in turning round the business at Jaguar Land Rover and returning it to profitability. Geoff ensured that Jaguar Land Rover was not distracted and continued to focus on the fundamentals of the business during the recent sale process, despite at the time also fighting his own personal health battle.
"He was a trusted colleague and someone who was much respected not just by his peers but by all who had the privilege to work with him. Our sympathies are with his wife and family at this difficult time," said Mulally.
Lewis Booth, executive vice president responsible for Ford Motor Company's businesses in Europe, said: "For many of us at Ford and Jaguar Land Rover, we've lost not just a respected colleague but a great friend.
"Geoff was always someone to look up to throughout his almost 40-year career in the automotive industry. His passion for the car business was legend, but the resolve he showed since taking over as CEO of Jaguar Land Rover in 2005 was something very special.
"Despite battling ill health for the past two years, Geoff never lost sight of his goal to return Jaguar Land Rover to profitability. He exhibited similar strength of leadership and determination during his time as President of Ford Australia -- qualities which resulted in the successful introduction of the BA Falcon in 2002 and the Ford Territory in 2004," said Ford Australia CEO, Bill Osborne.
"Despite having moved onto other roles within Ford Motor Company, Geoff continued to believe passionately in the products and the team at Ford Australia. His energy, enthusiasm and support for our business will be sorely missed." Osborne commented.
Born in Melbourne, Polites joined Ford Australia in 1970 as a Product Planner and completed training in both the United States and Europe, before rejoining Ford Australia in 1975 as Marketing Plans and Research Manager.
Following subsequent positions as Southern Region Country Sales Manager, Merchandising Manager and Eastern Regional Manager, he returned to Melbourne in 1985 as General Sales Manager, Ford Australia and held this position until July 1988 when he resigned from Ford to become Dealer Principal of the City Ford Dealership in central Sydney.
As a Ford dealer, Geoff Polites was named Ford Australia's Dealer of the Year on three occasions, and also won the coveted Ford President's Award three times. He also served on the Ford National Dealer Council for five years, and was the Council Chairman in 1998. In early 1999 he sold his interests in City Ford and rejoined Ford Australia as its President, a position he held until 2004.
Polities took on senior management roles with Ford of Europe before he took over the reins at Jaguar Land Rover.
David Smith, Jaguar Land Rover's chief financial officer, will take over as the acting chief executive officer at Jaguar Land Rover until a successor is appointed.
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