Former Ford Tech Chief to Head Welsh Auto Consortium

Richard Parry-Jones, who retired from Ford Motor Co. as chief technical officer in 2008, has been appointed chairman of Welsh Automotive Forum’s board of directors.

Welsh Automotive represents 40 international businesses and more than 100 other small and medium-sized component suppliers with facilities in Wales. The group employs 18,000 people and generates annual sales of more than £3.2 billion ($4.3 billion).

Parry-Jones succeeds Welsh Automotive’s founder Garel Rhys as chairman. The oft-quoted Rhys, who was the director of automotive research at Cardiff University’s Business School, died last year.

Welsh-born Parry-Jones joined Ford in 1969. At the time of his retirement, he was chief technical officer, group vice president of global product development and headed the carmaker’s global research and development operations.

After leaving Ford, Parry-Jones formed his own consulting company, was the chairman of the U.K.’s railway business and has served as a non-executive member on the board of several supplier companies, including GKN and Cosworth Group. He also has advised Britain and Wales on various economic, transportation, energy and information technology issues.