Ford NZ reveals new managing director

Ford New Zealand has appointed Annaliese Atina as its new managing director and she is due to take up the role later this month.

Atina, pictured, is replacing Simon Rutherford, who will be taking on a new regional role within the Ford International Markets Group.

She joins Ford NZ after previously holding a number of senior executive roles with One New Zealand and Coca-Cola Amatil in her more than 25-year career. 

A statement from the company announcing her appointment says she is a “customer-focused, forward-thinking leader who has a passion for building innovative, agile teams, which she believes is key to delivering strong commercial outcomes”.

Atina adds she is excited about joining her new colleagues. 

“Ford has a rich history in New Zealand and is both locally and globally a leading brand with a promising future,” she says.

“It’s a great time to be joining and I look forward to working closely with our team and dealers to help better serve our customers.”

Atina is a member of Global Women and the Institute of Directors NZ, a board member of the Technology Users Association of NZ, and head coach of the Ambition Collective founded to uplift women in business and newly appointed principals.

She is also currently studying for a master of business administration at the University of Waikato.

Andrew Birkic, president and chief executive of Ford Australia and New Zealand, says: “We’re excited to have Annaliese joining the Ford family and look forward to her insights and ideas gained from her wealth of experience.

“Ford will certainly benefit from her perspective and the new lens she can put on serving our customers.”

Described in a bio supplied by Ford NZ as a proud wife and mother of three boys, she is due to start as managing director on May 27, allowing for a transition and handover with Rutherford.