Aston Martin appoints Bentley boss Adrian Hallmark as new chief executive

LONDON – Adrian Hallmark, an experienced Bentley leader, has been appointed the new chief executive of British luxury car maker Aston Martin.

The 61-year-old will start in his new role no later than October 1, the company announced on Friday. Outgoing leader Amedeo Felissa will remain in office until then.

“He brings more than 25 years of highly successful automotive experience from the US, Europe and Asia with companies such as Bentley, Porsche and Volkswagen,” Aston Martin Lagonda said in a statement.

Hallmark also spent seven years in senior positions at Jaguar Land Rover. Bentley achieved a significant increase in its profits and revenues during his tenure, although it faced sector headwinds in 2023, including changing sales patterns in China.

Aston Martin chief executive Lawrence Stroll said Hallmark would bring “unparalleled experience in both the ultra-luxury and British manufacturing sectors to develop our strategy and continue recent momentum”.

This represents another change in the leadership of Aston Martin, which has suffered heavy losses in recent years, which diminished its results for 2023. Felisa took office in May 2022, after his predecessor, Tobias Moers, lasted less than two years in the top position.

Aston Martin Lagonda Shares were up 1.8% at 9:15 a.m. in London.

Despite a rebound in 2023, the company's stock price has fallen sharply since going public in 2018, as it has struggled with supply chain disruptions, rising costs and a large debt pile.

Hallmark will face a long list of tasks, including launching Aston Martin's first Valhalla hybrid supercar, dealing with production issues with the new DB12 and managing the electric vehicle transition that has plagued many automakers.