Lisa Brankin

Chair and managing director, Ford of Britain and Ireland

Ford’s position in the UK vehicle market has in recent years shifted from its traditional stronghold of passenger cars towards light commercial vehicles, underpinned by its popular Transit range.

There, it remains a leader and it’s the job of Lisa Brankin to ensure the brand stays anchored to its pre-eminent position amid the shift to electrification. Brankin was promoted to the role of UK chairperson of Ford’s national sales company in August 2023 after taking on the mantle of managing director of Ford of Britain and Ireland in November 2020. Her posting to the very top position was the culmination of 24 successful years of rising through the ranks of the brand. Originally from Northern Ireland, Brankin graduated from the University of Ulster in 1990 and joined Ford as graduate trainee in the same year.

She was promoted from her previous role of director of passenger cars, where she had overseen sales and marketing since July 2019. Just six months before that, she had been promoted to sales director, following three years as marketing director. Her 24 years at Ford have included spells as director of dealer operations, marketing manager for dealers and consumers, and communications, events and sponsorship manager.