- Position: Region Vice President & Chief Satisfaction Officer, Total Customer Satisfaction, AMIEO
- Location: Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE), Cranfield, UK
- Languages Spoken: English
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Derek began his journey with Nissan as an maintenance apprentice in the UK, and being one of four family members (father, brother and aunt), who worked at Nissan’s Sunderland Plant. Over three decades, he has developed deep cross-functional expertise across manufacturing, engineering, aftersales, customer satisfaction, supplier relations, and quality management.
International assignments in Russia and Japan, together with project management in US, China, Europe and India have shaped his practical, hands-on leadership style, rooted in frontline engagement and cross-cultural collaboration.
In his current role as Region Vice President and Chief Satisfaction Officer for Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS), Derek leads customer satisfaction and quality strategy across the AMIEO region. He collaborates across functions to understand customer experiences and expectations, using these insights to drive operational excellence and deliver long-term value for Nissan and its stakeholders. With a sharp focus on cost efficiency and quality standards, his efforts play a central role in advancing the Re: Nissan transformation plan.
Notable Achievements:
- Spearheaded quality and performance improvements on recent models developed in China, India and North America.
- Was a key part of team that delivered the early launch of the 2025 Murano in the US, which received the Americas Chairman’s Award. This was a standout example of 'One Team' collaboration, with the team accelerating the model’s Start of Production by three weeks.
LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
Derek believes in execution at the ground level, what he refers to as "Gemba-style" leadership. Guided by the principle of listening twice as much as speaking, he fosters a culture of openness, curiosity and collaboration that drives employee engagement and growth. Derek continuously draws inspiration from global best practices, adopting and adapting ideas that deliver meaningful, practical solutions.
BEHIND THE TITLE
Outside of work, Derek enjoys spending time with his wife and children. A music enthusiast, he spent an earlier chapter of his life as a house music DJ and producer, performing at venues around the world. Derek is also a keen sports fan with a love for football, and golf, staying active himself through both running and rowing.
HISTORY
- 2025: Region Vice President & Chief Satisfaction Officer, Total Customer Satisfaction, AMIEO Region
- Leads customer satisfaction and quality strategy across Africa, the Middle East, India, Europe, and Oceania
- 2023 – 2025: Chief Quality Engineer, Nissan, Yokohama, Japan
- Global project quality leader for Nissan EV2 & D-Platform vehicles together with OEM-IN passenger vehicle projects
- 2021 – 2023: Customer Experience Quality Director, AMIEO Region, Nissan, United Kingdom
- 2017 – 2021: Customer Experience Quality General Manager, Europe Nissan, United Kingdom
- 2015 – 2017: Total Customer Satisfaction General Manager, Nissan, Russia
- 2013 – 2015: Overseas Chief Quality Engineer, Nissan, Russia
- 2009 – 2013: Field Quality Assurance & Warranty Manager, Nissan, Cranfield, UK
- 2007 – 2009: Field Quality Assurance Senior Engineer, Nissan, Cranfield, UK
- 2006 – 2007: Field Quality Assurance Engineer, Nissan, Sunderland, UK
- 2003 – 2006: Supplier Warranty Controller, Nissan, Sunderland
- 2001 – 2003: Maintenance Technician, Nissan, Sunderland, UK
- 1999 – 2001: Process Engineer, Nissan, Sunderland, UK
- 1995 – 1999: Maintenance Technician (Apprenticeship), Nissan, Sunderland, UK
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) in business management, Northumbria University
- Higher National Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Sunderland College