The Sustainable Business Council (SBC) has appointed Toyota New Zealand chief executive Neeraj Lala to its advisory board.
Lala has become the third consecutive Toyota New Zealand chief executive to be appointed continuing the tradition set by his predecessors, Alistair Davis, and Bob Field, who was part of the initial group who set up the Sustainable Business Council.
Taking up the post in late August, Lala will become one of 12 business leaders elected by council members to govern the work of SBC.
He says collective action by businesses is critical to accelerating the transition to a net zero carbon future where people and nature thrive.
“We’re used to operating in our transport industry silo but with the electrification of our light vehicle fleet we have found that we need to feed into other sector decisions such as the national energy strategy. The SBC board makes sure we’ve got a seat at the table to inform decisions that will impact future infrastructure investment,” Lala says.
“But equally we need to take people with us and ensure a fair, equitable, and inclusive transition to a low emission, climate resilient economy.
“Being on the Advisory Board enables me to work at speed with other business leaders on these pressing issues and bring our networks with us. Collaboration is critical,” he says.
“We are extremely pleased to be able to welcome Neeraj onto the SBC Advisory Board, continuing the longstanding connection with Toyota, a founding member of SBC,” Sustainable Business Council Executive Director Mike Burrell says,
“Alongside our five other newly elected Board Members, Neeraj’s experience and insights from the automotive industry, as well as his personal passion for sustainability will have a significant impact at this important time as we transition towards a low-emissions future,” he says.
The SBC is a chief executive-led membership organisation with more than 130 businesses from all sectors, ambitious for a sustainable New Zealand. Its members represent $118 billion of collective turnover, 33% of GDP, and nearly 190,000 full-time jobs.
Lala says Toyota is committed to reducing its environmental impact while increasing its positive contribution to communities across New Zealand.
“As a proud Indian Kiwi my perspectives are shaped by my upbringing in Wellington, my life and work in regional Palmerston North where Toyota’s national contact centre is based, and time spent working in LA and with our global head office in Tokyo, Japan,” Lala says.
“My goal is to bring global insights combined with practical real-world experience. I believe in the power of business and government collaboration to drive systems change.
“As a Champion for Change with Global Women I am also driven to create a thriving workplace that is inclusive, diverse and empowers women, and all gender identities.
“One in every four cars on the roads in New Zealand is a Toyota and we recognise and embrace the imperative this leadership position gives us,” he says.
