Former Toyota boss receives Manawatu¯ Business Awards lifetime service gong
A man who spent decades doing business in Manawatu¯ has been recognised for his career and advocacy for the province.
Alistair Davis was given the lifetime service award during the Manawatu¯ Business Awards dinner at the Massey University Sport and Rugby Institute in Palmerston North last night.
Davis is best known as Toyota New Zealand’s chief executive, a role he stepped down from in June, but his influence has been felt far beyond the company.
Central Economic Development Agency chief executive Linda Stewart said it was hard to overstate Davis’ contributions to the region, including business training, environmental sustainability and sports.
Davis’ career at Toyota spanned 41 years, with 12 as chief executive, and he had always been a relentless supporter and advocate for doing business in Manawatu¯ and hiring local talent, Stewart said.
Davis said he was honoured and surprised to receive the award.
‘‘I feel somewhat humbled. I don’t feel I’ve contributed a large amount to Manawatu¯ specifically, since I was in a national role.’’
Toyota as a whole deserved the credit for the accolade.
Even as chief executive, Davis was building on the past and following Toyota’s corporate culture – which focused on pursuing excellence and respecting staff and the community, he said.
Advocating for, and operating out of, Manawatu¯ made good business sense, he said.
It was a central location and Manawatu¯ also offered a good lifestyle, with relatively affordable housing for Toyota staff.
And, being close to Massey University let Toyota build a close relationship with the institute and establish a solid source of wellqualified, young recruits.
Davis was behind the introduction of Toyota’s internship programme more than 20 years ago, working closely with Massey University to provide a clear and easy path into employment for business school students.
‘‘I was a great believer in hiring people straight out of university. I was the first fresh graduate the company hired, back in 1979.’’
He also chaired the Sustainable Business Council’s advisory board for four years.
The council is made up of more than 100 member organisations that account for 28 per cent of New Zealand’s gross domestic product.
Each member makes a commitment, subject to review by the council, to reduce greenhouse emissions and bring their business in line with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
Through that, Davis was one of the founding signatories of the Climate Leaders’ Coalition in 2018.
He worked closely with council executive Abbie Reynolds to set it up and the initial goal was to build non-partisan support for the Zero Carbon Bill. ‘‘We knew if we could get enough businesses on board, it would be a big push for the political parties to get behind it.’’
Davis was also a keen supporter of Toyota’s sponsorship of community programmes and sport, including Manfeild, youth development in motorsport, the Weetbix Kids Tryathlon, Team New Zealand and the Kiwi Olympic and Paralympic teams.
Davis believes that no business is separate from the community and both benefit from mutual support.