Nissan reshuffles senior management team
To revive ailing automaker
Nissan Motor Corporation has announced a significant leadership shake-up, appointing a new executive team effective January 1, 2025.
The moves are part of the Japanese company’s broader turnaround strategy, designed to restructure operations and improve efficiency and resilience. These changes aim to respond swiftly to current challenges and include the reorganisation of Nissan’s management team following the appointment of a chief performance officer (CPO) in December 2023.
The leadership restructuring is part of an ongoing effort to streamline Nissan’s operations. Further management adjustments are planned for April 2025. This restructuring is expected to create a leaner, more agile organisational structure, enabling the company to better adapt to rapidly changing business conditions.
Faced with a severe situation, Nissan is taking urgent measures to improve its performance and create a leaner, more resilient business capable of swiftly adapting to market changes.
Stephen Ma, Nissan’s current Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will become chairperson of the Management Committee for China. Ma brings a wealth of experience in China and global leadership and will continue reporting directly to CEO Makoto Uchida. Ma’s new position will shape Nissan’s strategic direction in the Chinese market and enhance its local operations.
Jeremie Papin, who currently chairs the Management Committee for the Americas, has been promoted to CFO. In his new role, Papin, who has years of experience in finance, strategy, and business development within Nissan and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, will report to CEO Uchida. He also brings over a decade of investment banking experience, particularly in the automotive sector.
Christian Meunier, who joins Nissan from Stellantis, will chair the Management Committee for the Americas. Meunier, previously the CEO of Jeep, has a broad range of expertise in marketing and sales honed during leadership roles at Nissan US, Canada, Brazil, and globally for INFINITI. Meunier will report to the newly appointed CPO, Guillaume Cartier, and is expected to bring fresh insights into Nissan’s Americas operations.
Asako Hoshino, currently the Chief Brand & Customer Officer (CBCO) and chair of the Management Committee for Japan/ASEAN, is stepping down from managing the Japan/ASEAN operations. Nevertheless, she will continue in her CBCO capacity, concentrating on improving Nissan’s brand and customer experience. Hoshino’s initiatives are anticipated to enhance customer engagement and reinforce the company’s market presence.
Shohei Yamazaki, chairperson of the Management Committee for China, will now take on the role of chairperson for the Japan/ASEAN region. Yamazaki’s extensive experience in the competitive Chinese market is anticipated to provide valuable insights as he takes on the challenge of strengthening Nissan’s position in Japan and Southeast Asia.
Commenting on the changes, Nissan President and CEO Makoto Uchida said: “These leadership appointments will bring the necessary experience and urgency to the countermeasures we are taking to get the company back on track. With the support of our leadership team, we will carefully execute our turnaround actions to secure sustainable profits while focusing on future growth.”
These strategic leadership changes are part of Nissan’s broader efforts to build a more efficient and resilient organisation capable of responding flexibly to the demands of an ever-evolving automotive industry. Nissan focuses on reshaping the leadership team as it strives to enhance its operational capabilities and market position, ensuring long-term success in the highly competitive global market.
Hero image: Nissan President and CEO Makoto Uchida. Credit: Nissan
