Former Ford of Britain managing director Andy Barratt has said that he is targeting his “next adventure” after resigning his post with Toyota and Lexus, at Al-Futtaim in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Barratt revealed on Friday (May 20) that he had handed in his resignation to the Toyota and Lexus retail group, which is headed by former Volkswagen Group UK managing director Paul Willis.

The move comes 18 months after he joined the Middle East automotive business a month after his departure from Ford of Britain, where he had spent over 40 years of his career.

In a LinkedIn post announcing his plans, Barratt said: “Today is a very exciting day, as having achieved everything that I set out to do at Al Futtaim, I have decided it’s time to find my next business adventure, and therefore submitted my resignation.”

Among a list of achievements during his time with Al-Futtaim, Barratt listed: the merging of Toyota and Lexus distributor functions; the launch of new dealerships in Dubai and Al Ain; and the launch of new businesses including the first pre-owned LCV business and pre-owned Toyota in Al Ain

He added: “All this would have not been possible without a truly amazing team of people - to which I will always be thankful. Now to find the next adventure…”

Former Ford of Britain director of passenger vehicles, Lisa Brankin, stepped into Barratt’s former role following his departure from the OEM in 2020, three weeks after he took a temporary leave of absence from the business.

Speaking at the time of his departure from his former role Barratt said he was leaving the most capable, dynamic, inspiring and loyal team that he has ever worked with.

"The Ford of Britain national sales company is just fantastic, and I am immensely proud of every single team member," he added.

Ford of Britain’s AM100 car retail group TrustFord is currently without a president and chief executive following the retirement of AM Awards 2022 Hall of Fame inductee Stuart Foulds late last year.

Finance director Stuart Mustoe is currently at the helm of the business on an interim basis.

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