Sir Patrick Hennessy was an Irish

Irish people

The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...

 industrialist.

He started his career in 1920 with Henry Ford & Son in Cork

Cork (city)

Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...

. He relocated to England in 1931 when he was appointed Purchasing Manager with Ford of Britain

Ford of Britain

Ford of Britain is a British wholly owned subsidiary of Ford of Europe, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. Its business started in 1909 and has its registered office in Brentwood, Essex...

. He was progressively promoted, appointed General Manager in 1939, Managing Director in 1948 and Chairman in 1956. He 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. His successor as Ford of Britain chairman was Leonard Crossland

Leonard Crossland

Sir Leonard Crossland was an automobile executive who filled a succession of increasingly high level appointments with Ford of Britain, culminating with the chairmanship which he held between 1968 and 1972....

.

In 1923 he married Dorothy Margaret Davis of Boardmills, County Down

County Down

-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...

. The couple had two sons and one daughter.

Hennessy was knighted in 1941.