Leonard Crossland
Encyclopedia
Sir Leonard Crossland was an automobile executive who filled a succession of increasingly high level appointments with Ford of Britain
, culminating with the chairmanship which he held between 1968 and 1972.
He joined Ford in 1937 and worked in the purchasing function until 1939 before leaving to join the British Royal Army Service Corps
between 1939 and 1945: these were, for Britain, the years of the Second World War. Following a series of promotions his appointment as Managing Director, in succession to Stanley Gillen
, was announced in June 1967. In May 1968, on the official retirement of Sir Patrick Hennessy
, Crossland was elected to the Chairmanship. After his Ford chairmanship, he acquired several subsequent directorships in the auto-sector.
Crossland married in 1941 to Rhona Marjorie Griffin. The marriage produced two recorded daughters.
He died in Great Wigborough, Essex
on August 5, 1999 at the age of 85.
Ford of Britain
Ford of Britain is a British wholly owned subsidiary of Ford of Europe, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. Its business started in 1909 and has its registered office in Brentwood, Essex...
, culminating with the chairmanship which he held between 1968 and 1972.
He joined Ford in 1937 and worked in the purchasing function until 1939 before leaving to join the British Royal Army Service Corps
Royal Army Service Corps
The Royal Army Service Corps was a corps of the British Army. It was responsible for land, coastal and lake transport; air despatch; supply of food, water, fuel, and general domestic stores such as clothing, furniture and stationery ; administration of...
between 1939 and 1945: these were, for Britain, the years of the Second World War. Following a series of promotions his appointment as Managing Director, in succession to Stanley Gillen
Stanley Gillen
Stanley James Gillen was an Ohio born automobile executive who filled a series of high level appointments in the USA and subsequently in Europe with the Ford Motor Company....
, was announced in June 1967. In May 1968, on the official retirement of Sir Patrick Hennessy
Patrick Hennessy
Sir Patrick Hennessy was an Irish industrialist.He started his career in 1920 with Henry Ford & Son in Cork. He relocated to England in 1931 when he was appointed Purchasing Manager with Ford of Britain. He was progressively promoted, appointed General Manager in 1939, Managing Director in...
, Crossland was elected to the Chairmanship. After his Ford chairmanship, he acquired several subsequent directorships in the auto-sector.
Crossland married in 1941 to Rhona Marjorie Griffin. The marriage produced two recorded daughters.
He died in Great Wigborough, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
on August 5, 1999 at the age of 85.