Ford, GM replace title of “president” with gender-neutral “president”

DETROIT – Ford Motor’s Bill Ford is no longer chairman of the automaker’s board, but still runs the show.

The automaker’s board of directors voted last week to amend Ford’s bylaws to “adopt gender neutral language, including the title ‘president’ instead of ‘president’,” according to a recent regulatory dossier.

Bill Ford’s new title is simply “President.”

The changes that took effect immediately are quite a milestone for the historically male-dominated auto industry. They come after large swaths of U.S. companies pledged employees and investors to be more inclusive and focus on diversity efforts in the wake of social unrest in the wake of the #MeToo movement and George’s murder. Floyd last year.

“Our roles at Ford are not gender-exclusive and these changes help limit ambiguity and contribute to the inclusive and equitable culture we are creating,” Ford spokeswoman Marisa Bradley said in a statement sent by email.

A spokesperson for General Motors said Monday that it also withdrew the title of “chairman” from CEO Mary Barra in exchange for “chairman” in May. He said GM did not change its articles of association, but made the changes internally and on the company’s website.

“The adjustment of Mary Barra’s title from President and CEO to President and CEO is just one of many changes at General Motors on our journey to become the most inclusive company in the world.” company spokesperson David Barnas said in an emailed statement.

Barra adopted the title of “president” when she began leading the automaker’s board in January 2016. She is the first female CEO and president of a major automaker.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. grabbed the headlines earlier this year, also erasing its regulations on gender designations.