Ford Appoints Murray Naismith as ANZ CFO

Ford Appoints Murray Naismith as ANZ CFO

Shivangi
Aug 12, 2026 1:24 PM IST
Category Transport

Synopsis

Murray Naismith has returned to Ford as Australia and New Zealand CFO after 20 years, bringing nearly three decades of automotive finance and operational experience across Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia.

01
Chapter one

Key Highlights

  • Murray Naismith has been appointed as CFO of Ford Australia and New Zealand, effective August 3, 2026
  • He is returning to Ford after 20 years, having previously worked there for eight years earlier in his career.
  • Naismith succeeds Tinikki Mott, who departed Ford to spend more time with her family.

Ford Australia and New Zealand has appointed Murray Naismith as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective August 3, 2026.

Naismith is returning to Ford after two decades away from the company. He previously spent eight years at Ford after joining Ford Motor Company of Australia through its graduate program in 1998. During that time, he held finance management positions covering areas including marketing and sales, purchasing and warranty administration.

02
Chapter two

Naismith Returns to Ford

Naismith brings 25 years of finance and operational experience across the automotive sector, including work with manufacturers, distributors, dealerships and remarketing businesses. His career has spanned Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia.

He joined Cox Automotive Australia as Chief Financial Officer in 2018 before becoming managing director of its remarketing and vehicle solutions division in 2023. Earlier in his career, he served as finance director for Inchcape South-East Asia.

Naismith said Ford and the wider automotive industry are at a pivotal stage, with the sector changing rapidly. He believes Ford Australia is well positioned for the future thanks to its product portfolio, customer base and people.

He described his return to Ford as a “special full circle moment” and said he was looking forward to helping shape the company’s next chapter across Australia and New Zealand.

03
Chapter three

Mott Leaves Ford After One Year

Naismith takes over from Tinikki Mott, who left Ford after one year in the position to spend more time with her family. Her final day was July 24, 2026.

Ford said Mott had been an important and respected member of its Australian and New Zealand executive team, providing financial leadership and strategic insight while supporting the company’s objectives across the region.

Source: Go Auto News 

Written by Shivangi

At Inspirepreneurs Magazine, covering entrepreneurship, business failures, and the human stories behind the world's most ambitious founders. She writes at the intersection of strategy and storytelling.