Patrick Hennessy (industrialist)

Patrick Hennessy
Born	18 April 1898
Died	13 March 1981
Nationality	British
Known for	Auto-industry executive
Spouse	Dorothy Margaret Davis (m. 1923-1949; her death)

Sir Patrick Hennessy (18 April 1898 – 13 March 1981) was an Irish-born British industrialist, originally from County Cork. During the First World War he served in the British Army, between 1914 and 1918, with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.^[1]

He started his career in 1920 with Henry Ford & Son in Cork.^[2] He relocated to England, by now a separate country, in 1931 when he was appointed Purchasing Manager with Ford of Britain.^[2] He was progressively promoted, appointed General Manager in 1939, Managing Director in 1948 and Chairman in 1956.^[2]

Hennessy combined the role of chairman with that of Chief Executive until 1963, retiring from the chairmanship at the age of 70 on 3 May 1968.^[3] His successor at Ford of Britain chairman was Leonard Crossland.^[4]

Personal life

In 1923 he married Dorothy Margaret Davis of Boardmills, County Down.^[1] The couple had two sons and one daughter.^[1]

Patrick Hennessy was knighted in 1941.^[1] He died in West Essex early in 1981.^[5]

References

1. "Who's Who 1967". Hennessy, Sir Patrick: 1388. 1964.
2. "News and Views: Ford chief retires". Autocar. 128 (nbr 3765): 29. 11 April 1968.
3. Maurice A Smith, ed. (18 April 1968). "Men of Ford". Autocar. 128 (nbr 3766): 60–61.
4. "News and Views: New Chairman for Ford". Autocar. 137 (nbr 3988): 2. 28 September 1972.
5. "Index entry". FreeBMD. ONS. Retrieved 5 January 2018.