Australian woman takes top job in male-dominated car industry - Women's Agenda

Australian woman takes top job in male-dominated car industry

Veronica Johns has become the first Australian-born woman to head a car company after being appointed as CEO of Fiat-Chrysler Group Australia, a local division of the Chrysler Group.

According to the Herald Sun a number of women have run Australian car companies in the past, however Johns will be the first local woman to do so, with previous female CEOs being brought in from overseas.

Based in Melbourne, Johns started at Chrysler in 1999 and was the director of sales for Fiat-Chrysler Australia prior to her appointment as CEO. From 1 May, Johns will be in charge of the Chrysler, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Dodge and Fiat brands within Australia.

“I’m not a ‘corporate ladder’ person, but I’m excited to earn this position,” Johns told the Herald Sun. “I don’t think it makes a difference if you’re male or female in this business anymore. Good people rise to the top. The car industry is not a man’s world anymore. And, I believe, Chrysler has been at the forefront of that movement.”

Johns takes over from outgoing CEO Clyde Campbell who has been appointed as the general distributor for Fiat-Chrysler New Zealand in a joint venture operation, together with Neville Crichton.

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