CEO, President and Chairman, Mitsubishi Motors Australia
Leadership for Senior Executives
Harvard Business School, USA, 2018
Like many South Africans, Shaun Westcott has faced adversaries tougher than the steel that shapes the very cars his company manufactures. Having survived a brutal shooting that could have killed him and his family, the CEO, President and Chairman of Mitsubishi Motors Australia has emerged from the shadows of the past to paint a bright future as he steers Mitsubishi into new frontiers of innovation and success.
South Africa to South Australia
Born and raised in South Africa, Shaun’s life took a dramatic turn when his family encountered the horrors of an armed robbery. In the terrifying ordeal, criminals unleashed a hail of gunfire on innocent shoppers – including Shaun, his wife Julie and their two daughters Stacey and Amy-Rose, leaving them traumatised and fearful for their safety.
But this wasn’t the family’s only brush with danger.
Another incident saw a rock hurled through the windshield of their car as it drove along a freeway at 120km/h. This calculated act of violence sought to wreak havoc, overturning the vehicle to facilitate robbery or worse.
Exhausted from the endless threat to their safety, the Westcott family sought refuge in a land far removed from the dangers of their homeland. Choosing Australia as their haven, Shaun’s final destination was guided by circumstance. Owing to emigration rules favouring those aged under 45, Shaun was sponsored by South Australia on a skilled visa.
Fast forward seven years, the Westcotts have found peace and prosperity in Adelaide.
Seismic shifts
Shaun joined Mitsubishi Motors Australia in 2019 as Deputy Director of Aftersales and was promoted to President and CEO just a year later. Since then the company, headquartered in Adelaide, has evolved from a regional player to a global powerhouse thanks to an array of digital, customer-centric and process-driven innovations across the value chain.
Turning to the future, Shaun says the automotive industry is undergoing one of the biggest technological revolutions in history, as cars become more software than mechanical, and eventually autonomous. He is determined to keep Mitsubishi Motors at the forefront of this transformation, while also contributing to the economic and social development of South Australia.
Learning and leadership
A lifelong learner, Shaun attended Harvard Business School’s Leadership for Senior Executives program in 2018 with support from the ILF.
The program not only polished his leadership acumen but connected him with a global network of senior executives. These insights became pivotal as he navigated Mitsubishi Motors Australia through the turbulence of COVID-19, emerging with enhanced profitability and resilience.
As Chairman of the ILF Scholars Network Committee, Shaun champions the value of the ILF network, saying it provides opportunities for mutual growth, knowledge exchange, and for building a community of leaders dedicated to propelling South Australia forward.
Shaun’s tips for success:
Continual Learning:
In a dynamic world, leaders must evolve to stay relevant. The ILF provides a unique avenue to enhance skills and knowledge mid-career.
Embrace Innovation:
Success necessitates staying at the forefront of innovation. Seek opportunities to learn and grow.
