Bentley boss moves to Aston Martin to lead ‘next chapter’

Bentley Motors CEO Adrian Hallmark has announced he is leaving the Volkswagen-owned British luxury marque to join Aston Martin.

Hallmark, who forged a career at Jaguar Land Rover, joined Bentley back in February 2018 and has been credited with turning around the company’s fortunes.

In less than six years, Hallmark reportedly took Bentley from a €288 million ($A477m) operating loss to a €708 million ($A1.2b) operating profit in 2022, with annual sales rising from 10,500 to 15,174 units over that period.

In 2023, sales softened to 13,560, while operating profit was also down to €598m ($A991m).

As well as the sales boom, mostly attributed to the Bentayga SUV and the second-generation Continental GT, Hallmark was behind pioneering plans that led to the “industrialisation of personalisation” with booming sales of handcrafted Mulliner options on every model it sells.

Set to take the reins at Aston Martin before October this year, 61-year-old Hallmark replaces Amedeo Felisa, the 78-year-old former Ferrari CEO who has run Aston for the past two years.

“Like many working within the ultra-luxury segment, I have admired the continued transformation of Aston Martin’s brand and products from afar and feel honoured to have the opportunity … to lead its next chapter,” said Hallmark.

“The transformation of Aston Martin is one of the most exciting projects within the ultra-luxury automotive industry.

“I am looking forward to continuing the company’s great momentum and utilising my experience and passion to further unleash this iconic brand’s potential and take it to even greater success.”

Bentley has yet to name Hallmark’s replacement.

Before stepping down from his role, Felisa will be tasked with overseeing the launch of the replacement for the current DBS that’s primed to arrive later this year.

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