Seasoned autos leader set to take over role by October 1st

Luxury automaker Aston Martin has announced the appointment of Adrian Hallmark, the current chief executive of Bentley, as its new CEO. Hallmark, 61, is expected to assume his new position no later than October 1st, according to the company’s announcement made on Friday. The outgoing CEO, Amedeo Felisa, will continue in his role until Hallmark’s arrival.

Bringing over 25 years of senior automotive experience from renowned companies such as Bentley, Porsche, and Volkswagen, Hallmark’s appointment signifies a strategic move for Aston Martin. Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin’s Executive Chairman, expressed confidence in Hallmark’s ability to leverage his extensive background in the ultra-luxury and British manufacturing sectors to drive the company’s strategy forward and sustain recent momentum.

The appointment comes amidst ongoing leadership changes within Aston Martin, which has faced significant losses in recent years. Although the company saw improvement in its 2023 results, the journey to recovery has been marked by shifts at the top. Felisa assumed the CEO position in May 2022 following the departure of his predecessor, Tobias Moers, who held the role for less than two years.

Following the announcement, shares of Aston Martin Lagonda rose by 1.8% at 9:15 a.m. in London. Despite signs of progress in 2023, Aston Martin has encountered challenges since its initial public offering in 2018, including supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and substantial debt burdens.