Unexpected Resignation: Top Executive of Bentley Abruptly Departs

Aston Martin’s new leadership: Adrian Hallmark takes charge.

[UPDATE] Aston Martin has officially announced that Adrian Hallmark will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer by October 1, 2024 at the latest.

Adrian Hallmark took on the role of chairman and CEO at Bentley in February of 2018. Under his leadership, the prestigious British brand experienced a noteworthy increase in sales, from 9,559 vehicles in his initial year to 15,174 cars in 2022. Despite the decline in demand last year, all appeared to be running smoothly at the company’s base in Crewe. Nonetheless, the top executive is now unexpectedly resigning.

Bentley released a statement today, declaring that Adrian Hallmark will be departing from the Volkswagen Group with immediate effect. In regards to his replacement, the company stated that they will reveal the successor at a later date. The Financial Times reports that Hallmark, who previously held a leadership role at Bentley, will be transitioning to a different brand while remaining in the United Kingdom. It is rumored that he will be taking on the role of Aston Martin CEO in the upcoming months, replacing 78-year-old Amedeo Felisa who is set to retire in the near future.

In just four years, the leadership of Aston Martin has seen a significant turnover, with the announcement that Hallmark will become the third CEO to take the reins. This comes after Tobias Moers was appointed to the role in 2020, making his departure a surprise. In fact, just days before his resignation, he had been discussing the company’s annual report with journalists. It is worth mentioning that Aston Martin has decided to delay the release of its first electric vehicle by one year, now aiming for a market launch in 2026. Moreover, their goal to become fully electric by 2030 has been pushed back to 2033.

Adrian Hallmark, who is 61 years old, has previously held a position as a member of the sales and marketing board at Bentley from 1999 to 2005. It’s worth noting that the prestigious British carmaker has been owned by the Volkswagen Group since 1998 and will soon operate under the Audi Group, along with Lamborghini, starting in 2022.

Source: Bentley