- Position: Vice President and Head of Human Resources, Nissan AMIEO
- Location: United Kingdom
- Languages Spoken: English
PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Adrian Smart is the Vice President and Head of Human Resources (HR) for Nissan’s Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO) region. Starting his career at Nissan over 20 years ago, Adrian oversees all aspects of managing employees and general affairs, including security, safety, training, and development. His role is central to fostering a culture that prioritises employee well-being, engagement, and growth.
Adrian began his career at Ernst & Young as a Business Trainee before joining ACDelco as a Personnel Officer. In 1997, he joined Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) as an HR Business Partner. He has since held various HR leadership roles across the AMIEO region, including HR Director for Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK (NMUK), Monozukuri and Manufacturing HR for Europe, Head of Global Compensation & Benefits, and Vice President of HR for Europe.
Notable Achievements:
- Improved employee survey scores and engagement rates during his tenure as HR Director for NMUK.
- Guided Nissan’s HR team through the challenges of supply shortages and COVID-19, prioritising employees at every opportunity.
LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
Adrian’s leadership philosophy focuses on nurturing talent, fostering diversity, and creating a supportive work environment. He believes in empowering employees to achieve their potential both personally and professionally while adapting to the dynamic needs of the automotive industry.
BEHIND THE TITLE
Adrian credits his two children that keep him young and very busy. He is also a keen sports enthusiast with a particular interest in tennis – you will find him glued to the screen during Wimbledon.
HISTORY
- 2023 - Present: Vice President and Head of Human Resources, Nissan AMIEO
- Oversees HR operations, employee lifecycle management, and general affairs across the AMIEO region
- Previous roles:
- 2020 - 2023: Vice President of HR – Nissan Europe
- 2015 - 2020: Head of Global Compensation & Benefits – Nissan
- 2010 - 2015: HR Director, NMUK – Nissan UK
- 2005 - 2010: Monozukuri and Manufacturing HR Lead – Nissan Europe
- 1997 - 2005: HR Business Partner – Nissan Technical Centre Europe
- 1995 - 1997: Personnel Officer – ACDelco
- 1993 - 1995: Business Trainee – Ernst & Young
EDUCATION
- 1991 - 1994: Business Economics Degree – Nottingham Trent University, UK
- 1994 - 1996: Master of Arts in Human Resource Management – Middlesex University Business School, UK