Troubled carmaker unveils major leadership changes
To drive future growth
Nissan has unveiled significant changes to its senior management team. These changes are designed to achieve the company’s short—term and mid-term goals while positioning it for long-term growth. Effective April 1, 2025, the company will implement a reshuffling of leadership roles as part of its efforts to enhance performance and strengthen its global operations.
The company’s board of directors has approved new titles and responsibilities for the executive leadership team. Ivan Espinosa, currently serving as the Chief Planning Officer, will assume the roles of Representative Executive Officer, President, and CEO.
Espinosa succeeds Makoto Uchida, who will remain a director until the annual general meeting of shareholders scheduled for June 2025.
Nissan’s changes extend beyond the top leadership. The company has made significant changes to its Executive Committee, which will now report directly to Espinosa, effective April 1.
One of the key appointments is that of Guillaume Cartier, who will continue as Chief Performance Officer and Chairperson of the Management Committee for the Africa, Middle East, India, Europe, and Oceania (AMIEO) region.
Cartier’s new responsibilities will include global marketing and customer experience, reflecting the company’s commitment to improving customer relations worldwide.
Eiichi Akashi, currently corporate vice president of the Vehicle Planning and Vehicle Component Engineering Division, will succeed Kunio Nakaguro as the new Chief Technology Officer and Executive Officer. Akashi’s new role will focus on accelerating Nissan’s technological capabilities and innovation in the automotive sector.
Teiji Hirata, currently the CVP of the Vehicle Production Engineering and Development Division, will assume the roles of chief monozukuri officer and executive officer, overseeing manufacturing and supply chain management. He will replace Hideyuki Sakamoto in this critical role, ensuring the efficiency and quality of Nissan’s global production network.
Jeremy Papin, currently the company’s chief financial officer, will also join the Executive Committee, taking on the additional responsibility of executive officer. This move will strengthen the company’s financial strategy as it adapts to changing market conditions.
Other key executives are maintaining or expanding their roles. Stephen Ma, who chairs the Management Committee for China, Mitsuro Antoku, the company’s Chief Quality Officer, and Toru Ihara, the Chief HR Officer, will continue in their current positions.
Shohei Yamazaki, chairperson of the Management Committee for Japan-ASEAN, will expand his role to include oversight of affiliate companies. Christian Meunier will remain chairperson of the Management Committee for the Americas.
Additionally, Tatsuzo Tomita, currently CVP of Product Development No. 2, will take on Akashi’s R&D responsibilities. He will also assume the role of chief of Total Delivered Cost (TDC) Transformation, which will involve streamlining costs and improving operational efficiency.
Manabu Sakane, currently CVP of Purchasing, will be appointed as the new chief of Strategy Acceleration, reporting directly to Espinosa. This role will be crucial in advancing Nissan’s strategic initiatives.
Several high-ranking executives, including Asako Hoshino, the chief brand and customer officer, and Hideaki Watanabe, the chief strategy and corporate affairs officer, will step down from their current roles on March 31, 2025. These departures signal a fresh approach as the company reshapes its leadership to meet future challenges.
This comprehensive reshuffling of leadership positions underscores Nissan’s commitment to strengthening its position in a rapidly evolving global automotive market. With new leadership, the company aims to boost its performance, foster innovation, and enhance customer experience across all regions.
Image: Design sketch of the all-new Nissan Qashqai. Credit: Nissan
