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Toyota names CFO Kenta Kon president and CEO in leadership shake-up
TOKYO: Toyota Motor has announced a top leadership change, with chief executive Koji Sato stepping down and chief financial officer Kenta Kon set to take over as president and CEO from 1 April, marking the group’s second chief executive transition in three years.
Sato will move into the newly created roles of vice chairman and chief industry officer, where Toyota said he will focus on broader industry engagement and strategic positioning, while Kon takes charge of day-to-day management and operations.
Speaking after the announcement, Kon described the reshuffle as Sato becoming “captain of the national team” while he assumes the role of “club captain”. Sato said the shift would allow him to concentrate on his wider responsibilities as chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and vice chair of Keidanren, Japan’s powerful business lobby.
Executive vice president Yoichi Miyazaki will succeed Kon as CFO. Further board changes are planned for June 2026, when Kon will join as a director and Sato will step down from the board.
Alongside the leadership overhaul, Toyota raised its full-year operating profit forecast by 11.8 per cent, citing a weaker yen and cost reductions to offset pressure from US tariffs.
For the December quarter, sales revenue climbed 8.6 per cent year on year to 13.46 trillion yen ($85.8 billion), beating analyst expectations. Operating income slipped 2 per cent to 1.19 trillion yen but remained above market forecasts.
Shares rose about 1.5 per cent following the announcement. Toyota said electrified vehicles, including hybrids and electric vehicles, accounted for nearly half of its retail sales in the first three quarters of the fiscal year, driven by strong hybrid demand in North America and China, as the company pushes deeper into a more diversified mobility strategy.
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Primus Partners appoints Akasa Air co-founder Neelu Khatri as independent director
Veteran aviation and defence professional joins as independent director
NEW DELHI: Primus Partners has appointed Neelu Khatri, a founding member of Akasa Air, as an independent director, strengthening the consulting firm’s board as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
Khatri brings more than three decades of experience across defence, aviation, aerospace technology and consulting. She was part of the core team that helped build Akasa Air from concept to launch, contributing to what has been widely described as one of the fastest airline scale ups in recent aviation history.
At Primus Partners, she will provide strategic guidance on corporate governance and help steer the firm’s long term growth plans. Her experience of building a start up into a full scale organisation is expected to support the consulting firm as it expands its footprint.
Primus Partners co-founder and chairperson Davinder Sandhu, said the appointment brings valuable expertise to the board. “Neelu’s journey across defence, aviation and consulting brings a rare blend of operational insight and strategic thinking. Her experience in rapidly scaling Akasa Air will be invaluable as we continue to grow while maintaining a strong focus on corporate governance,” he said.
Primus Partners, an India headquartered management consulting and solutions firm, has emphasised governance and board oversight since its early days. The company has also taken an unconventional approach by inviting its Gen Z employees to attend board meetings so that younger perspectives can contribute to discussions.
Speaking on her appointment, Khatri said the consulting sector is entering a transformative period shaped by emerging technologies. “The industry is evolving rapidly with the rise of AI. This is an exciting moment for an Indian origin consulting firm like Primus Partners to expand its product offerings and strengthen its presence globally,” she said.
She added that as the firm pursues ambitious expansion plans, her focus will be on ensuring strong governance frameworks and effective risk management as the organisation scales.
