Toyota NZ has announced changes to its executive lineup as it looks to focus on a circular economy and environmental innovations.

To accelerate work in the areas of new technology, product stewardship and overall sustainability, Toyota NZ has externally recruited for one new role and shifted an experienced senior executive to an expanded position.

Toyota New Zealand chief executive officer, Neeraj Lala said Toyota is committed to reducing its impact on the environment while increasing the positive contribution to the local communities it operates in across New Zealand.

“Our corporate goals are focused on being carbon neutral by 2050 and our product stewardship here in New Zealand across all areas of our business and supply chain,” Lala said.

“We need to innovate and look at out-of-the box solutions in order to achieve a holistic, circular economy approach to our supply chain.”

After four years as chief executive officer of the Ākina Foundation, Louise Aitken has joined Toyota as partner of circular & climate innovation and sustainability.

“Louise is a highly regarded leader in the areas of social and environmental impact and is dedicated to driving bold climate action,” Lala said.

“We are excited to have someone of her calibre join the team to challenge, innovate and accelerate our contribution to a low-emissions society.

“She will play an integral role in helping us become carbon neutral by 2050, as well as helping inform innovative business changes to decrease the overall CO₂ emissions of the transport sector.”

Aitken will be leading work on battery and parts recycling, product stewardship, waste, and end-of-life management of vehicles.

Current general manager for marketing, Lexus, and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand, Andrew Davis, will add the portfolios of business planning and finance replacing the marketing one. As part of the business planning division, he will lead a newly formed strategic future focused planning area.

The strategically focused planning area, including a new special tactics team will be working on leading edge technology development.