Ford CEO Joins McDonald’s Board of Directors
Jim Farley, who heads one of the largest US automakers and participates in car races in his free time, has decided to significantly expand his sphere of activity. He has officially joined the board of directors of the fast-food chain McDonald’s. This appointment became effective on February 4, increasing the number of Golden Arches board members to thirteen.
Experience for a Global Brand
McDonald’s stated that Farley’s global experience in modernizing brands and managing complex organizations will help the company in its next phase of growth. Farley has been leading Ford since 2020 and has a total of thirty years of experience working with large operations on different continents. His resume includes managing Ford’s regional divisions worldwide, restructuring the Lincoln brand, and advancing Ford’s digital Ford Plus strategy. Before joining Ford, he worked for nearly twenty years at Toyota and Lexus, contributing to strengthening those brands.
“McDonald’s is one of the most respected and recognizable brands in the world. I have long admired how the company combines scale with local entrepreneurship and tradition with innovation. It is an honor for me to join their values-based, first-class board, and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to McDonald’s next era of development,” said Farley.
Board Renewal and Other Duties
McDonald’s reports that half of its directors joined the board after 2022, which is part of a larger renewal aimed at shaping leadership ready for future challenges. Farley’s appointment also comes against the backdrop of his decision to step down from his position on the Harley-Davidson board, as sources report. The motorcycle brand announced this week that Farley will not be re-elected.
Speed as a Way of Life
Outside of business meetings, Farley is a true speed enthusiast. He participates in competitions such as the Mustang Challenge and has raced on famous tracks, including Le Mans and Daytona. So, he is likely to be the only McDonald’s board member who understands both quarter-pound burgers and quarter-mile times.
This move highlights a trend where top executives of large corporations combine their duties with work on the boards of other industry giants, exchanging experience and strategic vision. For McDonald’s, which constantly faces challenges in the global food market, Farley’s experience in transforming conservative automotive brands could prove particularly valuable in matters of digitalization and adaptation to local markets. His personal passion for competition and speed may also bring a fresh perspective to the business’s operational efficiency, where service speed is one of the key competitive advantages.