- Position: Chairperson, Nissan AMIEO Region
- Location: Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
- Languages Spoken: Italian, English, French, and German
PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Massimiliano (Max) Messina serves as Chairperson for Nissan’s Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO) region.
Max joined Nissan in 2022, bringing over 25 years of global experience across automotive, retail, and industrial manufacturing, spanning both finance and operations. In his current role, Max is responsible for overseeing all operations and accelerating transformation across three continents, spanning 140 countries with more than 26 models on sale, as well as five manufacturing plants and 13,000 employees. He is leading the Re:Nissan recovery plan across AMIEO, driving alignment with global objectives, strengthening strategic partnerships and ensuring continuity across the region.
Prior to his appointment as Chairperson in October 2025, he served as Vice Chairperson and Senior Vice President, Chief Finance, Administration and Strategy Officer for AMIEO. In that capacity, he led the region’s financial transformation and had oversight of all financial functions, Corporate Planning, Information Systems & IT, Non-BOP (Bought-Out Parts) Purchasing, and the Overseas Program Directors.
Max brings a strong track record in financial and operational leadership. He held regional and global roles at General Motors, Chevrolet, and Cadillac Europe, as well as acting as a key expert for the Big 4 Accounting firms. His diverse background also includes leadership positions in high-profile retail and industrial corporations, equipping him with a broad skill set and deep business acumen to drive success in his current role.
Notable Achievements:
- Driving Nissan AMIEO’s Financial Performance - improving automotive and sales finance profitability/forecast stability and cash generation - achieving fiscal targets and turning around key markets to deliver cash productivity
- Partnering with financial institutions to better leverage Nissan's balance sheet
- Devising, leading and launching significant transformational change within Finance, IT, Aftersales and Purchasing using best in class external partners to deliver cutting edge technology and optimise cost
- Acting as a key partner on change ideas and as well as a key partner with Renault, managing complex and material aspects of the Alliance - addressing joint product launch costs and looking at innovative financial solutions
LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
Max’s leadership style exemplifies passionate ownership of the business. Using his deep industry expertise, he aims to inspire his team and the wider business to maximise short and mid-term performance and work dynamically and transparently in a rapid and fluid manner as the pace of change in automotive continues to accelerate.
BEHIND THE TITLE
Max's passion for cars doesn't end with business; in his personal time, he enjoys collecting cars and motorbikes and spending time racing them on the track. On the weekends, Max also enjoys playing tennis and golf with his wife and two daughters.
HISTORY
- 2025: Chairperson, AMIEO Region
- Leads operations and drives the AMIEO region’s transformation and growth agenda, ensuring execution of the Re:Nissan plan and alignment across AMIEO’s regional operations and partnerships.
- Previous roles:
- 2025: Vice Chairperson and Senior Vice President, Chief Finance, Administration and Strategy, AMIEO Region
- 2022 - 2025: Senior Vice President, Finance and Information Technology, AMIEO Region
- 2020 - 2022: Partner Advisory - Head of Turnaround and Corporate Recovery/Advisory Practice - KPMG UK
- 2019 - 2020: Senior Advisor and Lead of Turnaround and Corporate Recovery practice - PwC UK
- 2018 - 2019: Group CFO - Bain Capital Portfolio Company
- 2017 – 2018: Group SVP Finance & Global Head of Transformation - Holcim
- 2015 – 2017: Group Chief Operating Officer - Vivarte
- 2012 – 2015: CFO Europe and SVP at General Motors, Chevrolet, and Cadillac
- 2007 – 2012: VP CFO, Delphi EMEA/ President, Holdings - Delphi
- 2004 – 2007: Regional Controller EMEA Carrier RLCI - United Technologies
- 2001 – 2002: CFO Playtex Italy – Sara Lee
- 1999 – 2001: Internal Audit – Sara Lee
- 1996 – 1999: Auditor – Deloitte
EDUCATION
- 1990 - 1995: Master's degree, Business Administration and Management -Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Milano