Peter Horbury has been named Executive Director of Design, North America, responsible for overseeing the design strategy and execution involving all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products in North America. His appointment is effective Jan. 1.
"We tapped Peter to lead our North American design team for two key reasons," says J Mays, Ford's group vice president of Design, to whom Horbury will report. "First, he brings to this team nearly three decades of experience as a strong designer and an even better leader. Second, North America remains our most profitable market, and that's where we need to invest our top design talent. We are more heavily investing in refining the design DNA for this market's products. So, naturally, I want this team to have even more horsepower to get the job done."
"Horbury will help the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury design teams further evolve exterior designs on the expanding lineup of cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers - and help take the brands' beautiful interiors to the next level," Mays says.
Since 2002, Horbury had been the Premier Automotive Group's executive director of Design, responsible for overseeing future product design strategy and design processes for Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo.
Horbury will not be replaced. The PAG's design directors - Jaguar's Ian Callum, Land Rover's Geoff Upex and Volvo's Henrik Otto - will report directly to J Mays on design issues and will maintain their operational reporting relationships with the respective leaders of each brand. "The Premier Automotive Group's designs - and forward-looking strategies - are in fine shape, thanks to Peter, and I'll make sure that remains the case," Mays says
For 11 years prior to his appointment as executive director, Design for PAG, Horbury had been design director of Volvo Car Corporation, overseeing studios in Sweden, Spain and California. He was instrumental in creating and implementing the stylish new design language in the current range of Volvo products - including the all-new XC90 SUV and award-winning Volvo Safety Concept Car.
"Peter will be instrumental in helping us to continue improving our products and further grow the best design team in the industry," says Mays. "He brings nearly three decades of experience as a strong designer and even stronger manager to this side of the pond."
Horbury will lead a team that includes Ed Golden, design director of Medium & Large FWD/AWD and Small FWD & RWD Platforms; Patrick Schiavone, design director of SUV, Body on Frame, Pickup Truck and Commercial Vehicle Platforms; Henrik Fisker, design director of California Advanced Product Creation as well as Aston Martin; Scott Strong, design director of Advanced Product Creation; Marek Reichman, director of Interior Strategy, Product and Design Process; Marcy Fisher, director of Design Engineering; and Scott Hunter, manager of Design Services.
Prior to joining Volvo, Horbury worked as director of styling and design at MGA Developments Ltd. in the United Kingdom. In addition, he worked on key Ford product programs in Europe, such as the Sierra, Escort and Granada, as well as Chrysler vehicles. During a 29-year career, he has been actively involved in the design of more than 45 cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles.
Horbury, 53, received his master's degree in automotive design from the Royal College of Art in 1974 and an undergraduate degree from Newcastle-upon-Tyne College of Art and Industrial Design in 1972.
