(Mon 21 Apr 08)

Geoff Polites, Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover, has died in his home country of Australia at the age of 60 after a long illness.

Polites joined Ford in 1970 as a product planner and subsequently took on various high-level positions within the company. From 1988 until 1999 he was dealer principal of City Ford in Sydney before selling his interest and moving to Ford of Europe. In September 2005 he became CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, a post he held during the long process of selling Ford's former Premier Automotive Group brands to Tata.

"Geoff's untimely passing robs his family and friends of a man who was a real inspiration to us all," says Alan Mulally, President and Chief Executive Officer of 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."

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