Nissan Motor announced a leadership transition in its finance organization as Chief Financial Officer Jérémie Papin prepares to step down for personal reasons, with long-serving company executive George Leondis set to assume the role.
The company said Papin will remain with Nissan through mid May to oversee the closing of fiscal year 2025 and help ensure a smooth transition.
Leondis will formally take over as chief financial officer on April 1. Nissan said he has played a key role in the company’s Re:Nissan recovery plan and brings deep financial and strategic expertise, along with extensive international experience across the automaker’s major markets.
Leondis joined Nissan in 2004 after beginning his career at PwC. Over the past two decades, he has held multiple senior finance and leadership positions throughout Nissan’s global operations. His responsibilities have included overseeing finance functions across key markets as well as leading automotive sales finance businesses and regional administrative operations.
In 2024, Leondis returned to Japan to oversee global product and industrial operations control, partnership finance and mergers and acquisitions. Nissan said his background across the company’s finance operations positions him to help maintain continuity as the automaker continues executing its recovery strategy.
The leadership change comes as Nissan continues implementing its Re:Nissan turnaround plan focused on disciplined execution, stronger product competitiveness and long-term sustainable growth.
Papin has been credited with helping strengthen the company’s financial foundation during a critical phase of its restructuring.
Nissan said its priorities and commitments under the Re:Nissan plan remain unchanged despite the leadership transition.
KEY QUOTE:
“I want to thank Jérémie for his leadership and for the discipline he helped embed during an important phase of our recovery. He has played a key role in strengthening our financial foundation. Re:Nissan remains firmly on track, and with George’s deep involvement in the plan, we will ensure a smooth transition and continued execution.”
Ivan Espinosa, President And Chief Executive Officer, Nissan Motor Co.
