Ford has confirmed a leadership change across Australia and New Zealand as part of its regional strategy. The company named a long-serving executive to guide operations during ongoing market shifts. The announcement sets a clear direction for Ford in two key automotive markets. It also reflects a structured leadership transition within the wider organisation. Ford continues to align management experience with regional business needs.
Leadership Transition in Australia and New Zealand
Ford confirmed Fadi Mawal as President and CEO for Australia and New Zealand from January 2026. The appointment follows internal succession planning within the regional leadership team.
Ford stated that the change supports operational stability across both markets. The role covers manufacturing partnerships, sales operations, and market planning.
Mawal has worked at Ford for more than thirty years across several business areas. He began his career in Melbourne within parts and service operations. He later moved into finance roles across multiple Ford divisions. These roles supported long-term exposure to regional and global operations.
Before this appointment, Mawal served as Chief Financial Officer for Ford International Markets Group. That position was based in Bangkok and covered several global regions. His responsibilities included financial planning and governance oversight. These regions included Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Executive Background and Career Progression
Mawal joined Ford during the early 1990s and progressed through internal roles. His early operational experience was followed by long-term finance leadership. He spent fifteen years developing financial systems and reporting structures. This experience supported later strategic and commercial responsibilities.
In 2016, Ford appointed Mawal as Chief Financial Officer for Australia and New Zealand. He held that position for four years during changing market conditions. The company then moved him into a commercial role as Sales Director. That role ran from 2020 until 2022.
The sales role focused on dealer networks and customer demand planning. It also covered pricing strategies and supply coordination. Ford later selected Mawal for a broader international finance role. That move expanded his exposure to multi-market operations.
Ford Regional Roles and Ongoing Market Focus
Andrew Birkic will move into a regional leadership role within the company. He becomes Vice President of Sales and Service for International Markets Group. The position oversees sales performance and service standards across multiple regions. Ford confirmed this role supports coordination across global markets.
Birkic led Ford Australia and New Zealand for five years. His tenure included oversight of major commercial vehicle programs. Ford stated that his regional role builds on that operational experience. The change maintains continuity across leadership teams.
Ford continues to manage a mix of combustion and electrified vehicles. The company also focuses on connected systems for fleet customers. Regional leadership supports planning around supply and service availability. The company also maintains its presence across both passenger and commercial segments.
