New era of YMA management
Over the past six months Yamaha Motor Australia has undergone a senior management restructure that has sprouted a new corporate tree at the YMA Sydney headquarters.
Long time Managing Director Steven Cotterell, who in his 36 years with the company was the driving force behind projects such as convincing Japan to bring the WR series of Enduro bikes to fruition, has left YMA after passing Yamaha’s mandatory retiring age.
Large Japanese motorcycle companies generally have a globally experienced senior Japanese excutive heading up their major offices all around the world. MCNews.com.au believes Cotterell was perhaps the only non-Japanese Managing Director at any major outpost for the brand anywhere in the world. Such was the respect he had built with the top Yamaha executives back in Hamamatsu. We wish the avid dirtbike enthusiast all the best in his retirement.
More recently, MC and ATV Divisional Manager Denis Roberts has left the company, while Director and Chief Operating Officer Andrew Carruthers has accepted a key role in
Yamaha Motor Europe starting 1 June 2018.
Current Group General Manager of Financial Services, Brad Ryan, a familiar face at ASBK event in recent years, replaces Carruthers as YMA Director and Chief Operating Officer.
Brad Ryan takes over the divisions of sales and marketing for both MC/ATV and marine, service and franchising, while also continuing as General Manager of the financial services companies.
Current Chief Financial Officer Darryl Lovegrove is promoted to YMA Director. Lovegrove continues his role as CFO and heads up the divisions of administration, human resources, IT, spare parts and Ficeda.
Outgoing YMA Director and COO Andrew Carruthers.
“The changes introduce a new direction to YMA,” explains outgoing Director and COO Andrew Carruthers. “We are adopting a fresh approach to revitalise the brand by empowering the next generation of management. We aim to build relationships with key stakeholders and to invest in our staff so they can act quickly and decisively to reconnect the brand with those closest to it. YMA has always been a customer focused company. These changes should ensure an even closer connection to the people who buy and use Yamahas.”
