With nearly three decades of distinguished service in the automotive industry, Jacques has built a career marked by high-level expertise across marketing, finance, sales, and business management.
His impressive trajectory includes senior roles at Ford and a transformative stint with South Africa’s largest independent dealer group, Halfway, enriching his professional breadth and preparing him for his next challenge.
Jacques’ automotive career began in 1995 at Ford’s South African division, where his skills and strategic vision quickly elevated him through the ranks.
Over the course of 24 years with Ford, he held remarkable positions culminating in his role as Global Director of Product Marketing at Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
In this capacity, Jacques was instrumental in shaping Ford’s global product strategy, balancing marketing initiatives with product development, and steering the company’s pricing and planning strategies for both Ford and Lincoln brands worldwide.
In 2014, Jacques expanded his horizons by relocating to Ford’s Shanghai office, where he served as the Executive Marketing Director for the Asia Pacific and Africa region.
His time there followed a successful tenure as Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Service for Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. These roles allowed him to refine his expertise in regional market dynamics and strategic leadership.
Jacques’ career trajectory continued to ascend as he took on the role of President of Ford Middle East & Africa. Based in Dubai, he managed Ford’s operations across 70 diverse markets, steering the newly established business unit through growth and strategic initiatives.
In the latter stages of his career at Ford, Jacques played a pivotal role in the company’s transition towards electric vehicles, a mission that is now central to his new role at Al-Futtaim Automotive.
Reflecting on the future of the automotive industry, Jacques expressed enthusiasm about the UAE’s National Smart Mobility and electrification objectives. He remarked, “The pace at which the UAE is advancing towards its National Smart Mobility and electrification goals is truly remarkable.
With a government commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, this decade will see transformative changes in vehicle connectivity and green mobility.”
As he takes on the role of guiding Toyota and Lexus towards a sustainable future, Jacques is poised to leverage his extensive experience to align Al-Futtaim Automotive’s strategies with the UAE’s ambitious sustainability vision.
“I am excited to support Toyota and Lexus in driving forward the UAE’s leadership efforts in green mobility and electrification,” Jacques added, looking ahead to a future where innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.