Ford has announced the appointment of Fadi Mawal as President and CEO of Australia and New Zealand, effective 1 January 2026, marking a leadership transition for one of the region’s most established automotive brands.
Mawal brings more than three decades of experience with Ford, having joined the company in the early 1990s. His career path reflects a broad understanding of the business, spanning operational, financial and strategic roles across multiple regions.
According to Ford, Mawal began his career “as a forklift driver in a Ford parts and service warehouse in Melbourne” before moving into the Finance function, where he spent 15 years building experience across the organisation. He later joined Ford’s Asia Pacific Strategy team, further expanding his regional and commercial exposure.
In 2016, Mawal was appointed Chief Financial Officer for Ford Australia and New Zealand, a role he held for four years. He then transitioned into a commercial leadership position as Sales Director from 2020 to 2022. Most recently, Mawal served as Chief Financial Officer for Ford International Markets Group, based in Bangkok, overseeing financial planning, reporting and governance across a diverse portfolio including Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Commenting on the appointment, Jeff Marentic, President of Ford International Markets Group, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Fadi to the role of President and CEO, Australia and New Zealand. His breadth of experience in leadership roles across the business positions him exceptionally well for this new challenge.”
As part of the leadership change, Andrew Birkic, who has led Ford’s Australia and New Zealand operations for the past five years, will move into a regional role as Vice President, Sales and Service, Ford International Markets Group. In this position, Birkic will be responsible for driving Ford’s sales and service strategies across multiple international markets.
For fleet buyers, Fleet Managers and Procurement Managers, the appointment signals continuity combined with deep institutional knowledge. Mawal’s background across finance, strategy and sales may be particularly relevant as fleets continue to assess whole-of-life costs, vehicle availability and the evolving mix of powertrains and commercial solutions in the Australian and New Zealand markets.
The leadership transition comes at a time when Ford continues to balance traditional internal combustion offerings with expanding electrified and connected vehicle programs, particularly within its commercial and fleet-focused portfolios.
