Ford to farewell sales boss

Jerry Delaney has announced he will be leaving Ford New Zealand as its sales director next month after spending more than 13 years with the company.

He joined the business in July 2011 as fixed operations manager before taking on the sales director position at the beginning of 2014.

Delaney, pictured, announced his decision to leave Ford in a LinkedIn post on January 8.

“After more than 13 incredible years at Ford New Zealand, I am sharing that I will be leaving the company next month to embark on a new chapter in my career,” he says.

“My time with Ford has been filled with memorable experiences, valuable lessons, and, most importantly, wonderful colleagues, dealer network and business partners. 

“I am truly grateful for the support, camaraderie, and friendships I have developed along the way.”

Delaney spent four-and-a-half years working as service manager for Altwood BMW in Maidenhead, UK, before joining BMW New Zealand in 2002.

He started at BMW NZ as internal workshop manager before being appointed used car manager in January 2004.

His next career stop took him to Albany Toyota where he was general manager – aftersales operations from May 2006 to January 2009.

Delaney then spent nearly two-and-half years self-employed running Traxionz, which offered a dealership development and coaching business, provided improvement strategies for dealers and was part of the advisory group for setting MITO’s apprenticeship modules.

He says he is excited about the opportunities ahead of him but admits it has been bittersweet saying goodbye to his Ford colleagues.

“It was hard saying farewell to my sales team (s) who I have proudly led for the last 10 years, and to the wider Ford team,” he notes on LinkedIn.

“I wish Ford New Zealand and the incredible dealer network, huge success in the future.”