Nissan wants a different chairman from Renault – concern for conflict of interest, power imbalance

Nissan wants a different chairman from Renault – concern for conflict of interest, power imbalance

New Renault chairman, Jean-Dominique Senard (left)

Nissan is not keen to have the same person appointed to the chairperson role at both Nissan itself and at alliance partner Renault, Bloomberg has reported. This means that the Japanese brand is also resisting the appointment of new Renault chairman Jean-Dominique Senard as its own chairman, according to Bloomberg‘s unnamed source; this was the case under former leader Carlos Ghosn.

The board at Nissan plans to wait for a governance committee report before making a final decision, the source added. “Discussions on this topic will take place after the special committee for improving governance submits its recommendations, and after Senard has officially joined Nissan’s board,” the Japanese automaker said in a statement.

Nissan chief executive officer Hiroto Saikwawa has criticised Ghosn for holding too much authority and making decisions that were not in the best interests of Nissan, and the Japanese firm is seeking a review of the leadership structure, Bloomberg noted. According to the news outlet’s source, Senard’s initial contacts with Saikawa went well, though Nissan is opposed to having Senard at the top for fear of conflict of interest.

Previously, Ghosn was chairman of both Nissan and Renault as well as Mitsubishi, the latter also an alliance partner. Ghosn was arrested last November over allegations of financial misconduct, and was subsequently removed from his positions as chairman and representative director at Nissan.

Nissan wants a different chairman from Renault – concern for conflict of interest, power imbalance

Upon making his first appearance since his arrest in January, Ghosn has denied any wrongdoing, though results which emerged from a Nissan-Mitsubishi joint investigation found that the former joint chairman received 7.82 million euros in improper payments.

As for Renault, the French government owns a 15% stake in the automaker and is its largest shareholder, giving it influence over decisions which also affect Nissan. However, the French government’s position is that it is up to the Nissan board to decide its next chairman, said a person familiar with the matter according to Bloomberg.

Meanwhile, Nissan plans to appoint Senard to its board as director following a shareholder vote on April 8, and Ghosn – along with his long-time aide, Greg Kelly – will be removed at the same time, the news outlet added.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Avenger on Feb 11, 2019 at 5:40 pm

    “Nissan wants a different chairman from Renault”
    Wasn’t this the main reason they’d implicated Ghosn about his salary?

    Basically it boils down to Nissan Japs can’t work with foreigners and they chaff at the improvements by a foreigner in rescuing their company. They’d hated that and which is why they’d willing to go thru all these drama.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 2
  • hooooooo on Feb 11, 2019 at 11:22 pm

    Ask Nissan who save your company from bankrupt

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • lilytan on Feb 12, 2019 at 8:41 am

    when your marriage crumbled , better to go separate ways and moved on Renault Nissan ,

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Engineer on Feb 12, 2019 at 9:28 pm

      Renault saved Nissan from being prostituted by marrying it but this is how Nissan treated its Renault husband? smh

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Woww..who’s the major stakeholder here? Renault or nissan?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • abam brutal on Feb 12, 2019 at 10:21 am

    Nissan Jap co. better managed by own Jap pipu

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Copy Paste on Feb 12, 2019 at 6:36 pm

      Copy paste edited: “Nissan Jap co. almost bankrupted and closed shop when managed by own Jap pipu.”

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • NissanBravo on Feb 12, 2019 at 11:48 am

    Basically, Japanese still cant accept any smarter outsider to lead the corporate. Ranault shd be the biggest shareholders to control over Nissan. Hence Nissan shd listen to the board instead of letting this CEO performing the drama.Probably the CEO wants to be the chairman……eerrmmm

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Sharipudin B.Jaafar on Feb 20, 2019 at 2:43 pm

    Reanult good,but Renault service centre in Ipoh,Perak…not good

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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