Driving Change Together: Nissan AMIEO’s DEI Journey in 2024

At Nissan, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) isn’t just a promise - it’s the way we show up for our people, our customers, and our communities. In 2024, that commitment roared across Africa, the Middle East, India, Europe, and Oceania (AMIEO). From bustling shop floors to our dynamic, collaborative offices, every initiative was powered by one belief: when everyone belongs, everyone thrives. Our latest DEI Report celebrates the momentum our teams are building across the AMIEO region – catch a few of our 2024 highlights below!

Africa: Breaking Barriers, Driving Pride

In South Africa, IGUALES launched as a confidential support initiative for employees and families, shining a light on non-apparent disabilities and providing safe spaces for openness. Beyond the workplace, our Daring Africa expedition captured imaginations far beyond the continent. A convoy of Nissan Navara and X‑Trail vehicles carved an 8,000 km route from South Africa to Egypt, connecting countries, people, and cultures. With 13 dealership activations and 56 million people reached across media, it wasn’t just a road trip - it was a statement of resilience, innovation, and African pride.

Middle East: Innovation and Inclusion

Across the Middle East, we pushed DEI forward with courage and collaboration. In Saudi Arabia, a bold training programme achieved an extraordinary 95% participation rate, equipping leaders and employees alike with the skills to strengthen inclusive governance. Meanwhile in Dubai, the InnovateMe Hub was born – an Employee Resource Group dedicated to empowering underrepresented groups and encouraging innovation through campaigns, networking and awareness-building. Together, these efforts proved that when equity and accountability are embedded in everyday work, trust grows, and workplaces transform.

India: Helping Young Women Blossom

In India, our partnership with Blossom, a non-governmental organisation, gave young women a first-hand experience of life at Nissan. From exploring career paths to meeting inspiring employees, the initiative is opening doors to the automotive world. The programme’s impact was so powerful it earned a regional DEI Award, underlining Nissan India’s belief that equity isn’t about promises - it’s about creating opportunities that inspire the next generation, regardless of gender.

Europe: Stories of Inclusion and Allyship

Europe saw DEI celebrated in powerful and personal ways. For the World Day for Cultural Diversity, Nissan teams in our European HQ office in Paris came together for an interactive Culture Quiz. Meanwhile, leadership messages continue to highlight global traditions like Diwali, Ramadan, and Christmas – joyful reminders of the richness of Nissan’s multicultural workforce.

In our Sunderland Plant, several initiatives such as DEI awareness training, the NMUK Disability Network, the Nissan Skills Foundation, and the Sunderland Women’s Network all reinforced acceptance and accessibility. At Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE), our Driving Innovation STEM event inspired future engineers and innovators. But that’s not all! This year, we were proud to assist Richard Whitehead MBE, Paralympian and Nissan Ambassador. Richard’s story is one of grit, innovation, and the power of breaking limits, and our teams went out of their way to create his own modified Nissan Ariya – a crucial support for him en route to his record-breaking marathon effort.

And in recognition of everyday allyship, Alan Johnson, SVP of Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Purchasing, received the Allyship Award at the Women Automotive Awards 2024. His win wasn’t just a personal milestone - it was proof that allyship is contagious, and when leaders operate with empathy, change accelerates.

Oceania: Leading with Purpose

In Australia and New Zealand, leadership became deeply personal. Nissan Oceania’s Leading with Purpose initiative saw Lifestyle Ambassador Jo Stanley and New Zealand Country Manager Jenni Martin - Nissan Oceania’s youngest woman executive - share their journeys with colleagues.

Employees responded with pledges of their own: commitments to meaningful action in their careers and communities.

Powering the Future

Across AMIEO, 2024 was a year of progress, passion, and proof that DEI works when people live it. From cultural celebrations to allyship awards, from grassroots initiatives to global recognition, our teams have proven that the vast area and diversity of our region isn’t a barrier to progress, it’s a unique strength that drives us forward.

Looking ahead, the message is clear: celebrating our differences and lifting each other up is a crucial step towards our ambition of a cleaner, safer, more inclusive world.

Want to find out more about the myriad of initiatives happening across our region and how we’re building momentum towards our DEI goals? Click here to read the 2024 Nissan AMIEO DEI Report, Celebrating Progress – Powering the Future.