VALE Sir Brian Inglis

Managing Director between 1970 and 1981, Inglis was the first Australian-born person to hold the position, the post previously being filled by American and Canadian Ford management personnel.

"Ford in Australia has only ever had 15 Presidents or Managing Directors since 1925; Sir Brian is remembered fondly as one of the first of a number of Ford executives who made a point of being seen on the factory floor to get a first-hand view of how the teams were going and how Ford vehicles were being built," said current Ford Australia president, Bob Graziano.

Born in Adelaide in 1924, Sir Brian was the son of a Ford Australia employee while he himself worked briefly for Ford during World War II before joining the RAAF and seeing active service as a fighter pilot.

In 1949, Sir Brian rejoined the Blue Oval, this time with Ford of Canada. Returning to Australia in 1951, he was elected a Director of Ford Australia and appointed to the position of General Manufacturing Manager, before being named Director of Manufacturing and Supply Director of Manufacturing and Supply in 1967.

Selection of the American Ford Falcon for the Australian market, instead of the British-sourced Zephyr, has been credited to Inglis. Upon seeing the yet-to-be-released Falcon in Ford's US headquarters in 1958, Sir Brian reportedly switched local production plans to the American car, convinced it was a better fit than the Zephyr for the local market.

After leaving the MD role at Ford Australia, Inglis became head of the Ford Asia-Pacific division before retiring in 1984. In 1977 he was knighted for services to industry.

Apart from his Ford duties, Sir Brian, was involved in the Melbourne University Appointments Board, served for three years as the President of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (1972-1975) and was for three years a member of the Australian Export Development Council. From 1976-77 Sir Brian was appointed a member of the Federal Government's Economic Consultative Committee. In May 1977, he was appointed Chairman of the Australian Manufacturing Council and was a member of the Crawford Study Group on Structural Adjustment. In June 1979 he accepted a further term as President of the FCAI.

Sir Brian is survived by his wife Lady Leila Inglis and daughters Barbara, Alison and Andrea. A memorial service will be held at the chapel of Trinity College in Parkville, Melbourne, on Monday, October 13 at 10.30 am.