The family moved to Chorley, Lancashire when he was a child, and he received a Catholic education at Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton.
[4] McAllister joined Ford as a finance trainee and progressed through various positions in sales and marketing in the UK and Germany before becoming the marketing director for Lincoln Mercury in the United States, returning to become managing director and latterly Chairman of the UK company which then encompassed just the Ford brand built at Dagenham.
While chairman of Ford, he held various industry positions, including becoming President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
After retiring from Ford, McAllister has undertaken mainly Government orientated work, with his only non-executive post at Scottish and Newcastle.
In making the announcement, Sir Ian noted that as Network Rail moves to a "new phase in its development," it is appropriate that there be a new chairman to lead it there.