Adrian Hallmark, the chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors Ltd. for the past six years, has left the renowned automotive manufacturer at his own request and by mutual consent.
In some ways, the European automotive sector can be described as currently ‘all at sea’, with well-known market players pushing back against the demands to move to net zero, which appears financially unviable and confusing to the layperson.
Much to the chagrin of politicians, senior civil servants, and heads of NGOs, reports and data frequently show the electric car sector is still failing to ignite consumer enthusiasm. It has now reached the point where some dealers are purportedly refusing to take in some used electric models due to the waning demand and falling values. This confusion has caused much questioning and significant decisions to be made recently in the sector, and adding to this confusion is the announcement that Bentley Motor’s captain is now seeking new waters.
Hallmark’s departure from Bentley Motors and his leaving the ‘Volkswagen Group’ to prepare for new tasks by his own request with immediate effect, with no obvious successor, will undoubtedly raise questions. These were addressed soon afterwards by a later news announcement, which revealed that Hallmark is to join Aston Martin as an Executive Director and its Chief Executive Officer no later than 1 October 2024.
Adrian Hallmark’s career with Bentley Motors Ltd. began in February 2018, when he took on the role of chairman and CEO in what was deemed a ‘challenging business situation’.
Prior to this, Hallmark was a board member for Bentley’s sales and marketing company and worked for twenty-five years at the board level for international automotive companies based in the United Kingdom, Asia, and the USA.
Gernot Döllner, Audi’s executive board chairman, said of his departure, “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.
“On the path to carbon-neutral electric vehicles in the luxury segment, he has taken important steps towards the long-term success of the company. I would like to thank Adrian Hallmark for his significant commitment over the last years and wish him well in his personal and professional future.”
Adrian Hallmark commented, “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.”
Adrian Hallmark’s departure from Bentley Motors Ltd. means there is no current successor for his role. The automotive manufacturer is based in Crewe and has been part of Volkswagen AG since 1998 and of the Audi Group since January 2022. Official news from the manufacturer states that Bentley Motors Ltd. will announce Adrian’s successor in due course.