There is a new boss at Essex based Ford motor company.

Dutchman Roelant de Waard, aged 43, has been appointed chairman and managing director of Ford of Britain at the Brentwood UK headquarters of the US car giant.

Mr de Waard has previously worked for Ford in the Netherlands and the US.

Ford's Dagenham plant was one of Europe's major car assembly plants for over 70 years. The last Ford Fiesta rolled off the production line in 2002.

Married with three children, Mr de Waard is a keen snowboarder and enthusiastic biker. He will be living in Essex.