Nissan governance board to push for separate chairman from Renault
Nissan’s governance board is to oppose the company having the same chairman as Renault, the Financial Times reported today, citing sources close to the matter.
Renault has been calling for its newly-appointed chairman, Jean-Dominique Senard, to take over the role at the Japanese car company, the sources said.
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But Nissan’s independent committee on governance, which was set up following the ousting of Carlos Ghosn, is set to oppose the move.
Nissan’s opposition could be a backlash against the power held by Ghosn, who was chairman and chief executive of both companies before his arrest in Tokyo on financial misconduct charges.
Renault has since split the role, with Senard and former chief financial officer Thierry Bollore sharing the responsibilites.
The dispute is the latest sign of discontent within the alliance between Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi.
Renault, which has a 43 per cent voting stake in Nissan, effectively has control over the alliance. Nissan holds just a 15 per cent stake in the French firm, and does not have voting rights.
Lawyers for the car manufacturers have been locked in a dispute since the scandal begun in November. Renault has questioned Nissan’s commitments to the alliance, while Nissan has accused its French partner of not fully cooperating with the criminal investigation.
Read more: Ghosn's chief defence lawyer quits before trial
Last week Senard met with Nissan chief executive Hiroto Saikawa in a bid to smooth over relations between the firms.
Renault declined to comment. Nissan has been contacted for comment.