► Adrian Hallmark leaves Bentley for Aston
► Hallmark led electrification push at Crewe
► Is to be appointed CEO of Aston Martin
Adrian Hallmark has announced his departure from Bentley, and is joining Aston Martin as its new CEO.
After an initial announcement on his departure from the company at Crewe, Aston Martin has confirmed his hiring succeeding Amadeo Felisa. ‘I’d like to personally pay tribute to Amedeo, recognising not just what he has achieved at Aston Martin but throughout his long and distinguished career at the very top of the ultra-luxury automotive industry,’ says Aston Martin executive chairman, Lawrence Stroll.
‘In Adrian Hallmark, we are attracting one of the highest calibre leaders not just in our segment, but in the entire global automotive industry. Complementing our world-class leadership, Adrian will bring to Aston Martin unrivalled experience in both the ultra-luxury and British manufacturing sectors to progress our strategy and continue recent momentum,’ adds Stroll.
Hallmark had been chairman and CEO of Bentley since 2018 until March 2024, tackling massive industrial headaches like the Covid pandemic and semiconductor shortages. On top of that, Hallmark has spearheaded a massive investment into electrification and its ‘Beyond100’ plan, setting Bentley up for the future. This comes after a long prior relationship with Bentley. Hallmark originally worked at Bentley from 1999 and 2005 as board member for sales and marketing, helping to redefine the brand as it launched its Continental GT.
Adrian Hallmark says in a Bentley statement: ‘Bentley has had a great influence on me. To redefine luxury mobility for the future with such a strong brand is a task that I took on with full commitment and great pleasure. The time has now come for me to turn to new challenges. I would like to express warm thanks to the entire Bentley team for all that we have achieved together in the last few years.’
Gernot Döllner, chairman of the Audi board and leader of the ‘Progressive Brand Group’ within VW Group (which includes Bentley, Lamborghini and Ducati), says ‘Adrian Hallmark has achieved a great deal at Bentley. In his six years as chairman and CEO, he has made his mark on Bentley Motors, and along with his team in Crewe has successfully pushed ahead the development of the company.’