Geoff Polites is appointed CEO of Jaguar and Land Rover, effective 1st September, 2005.

Previously he had been Vice President, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. Prior to his current position Mr. Polites was Vice President European Sales Staff, Ford of Europe. From 1999 to March 2004 he was President of Ford Australia and has been closely associated with Ford, as an employee and as a dealer, for more than 30 years.

Mr. Polites joined Ford Australia in 1970 as a Product Planner and completed training in both the United States and Europe, before rejoining Ford Australia in 1975 as Marketing Plans and Research Manager.

Following subsequent positions as Southern Region Country Sales Manager, Merchandising Manager and Eastern Regional Manager, he returned to Melbourne in 1985 as General Sales Manager, Ford Australia and held this position until July 1988 when he resigned from Ford to become Dealer Principal of the City Ford Dealership in Sydney.

As a Ford dealer, Geoff Polites was named Ford Australia's Dealer of the Year on three occasions, and also won the coveted Ford President's Award three times. He also served on the Ford National Dealer Council for five years, and was the Council Chairman in 1998. In early 1999 he sold his interests in City Ford and rejoined Ford Australia as its President.

Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1948 Geoff Polites has a First Class Honours Degree in Economics from Monash University in Melbourne.