Taz Nakamasu, managing director of Canon Australia, is being promoted to executive office of Canon Inc, and will move back to Japan on April 1 to take up his new role.

He will be replaced by Yusuke Mizoguchi, the current managing director of Canon New Zealand, with Kiwi local Kim Conner taking the head role across the Tasman, and becoming the first female managing director of a Canon Oceania business.

Nakamasu, or Taz as he is widely known, defied stereotypes during his four year tenure, presenting himself as an affable and open chief executive.

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In the graphic arts field he led the somewhat complex integration of Oce to create a unified cohesive business.

He was also behind the implementation of the hot desks working environment at the new Canon headquarters, designed to increase collaboration and communication between different areas of the business.

Nakamasu says: “I am humbled by the opportunity I have been given to lead Canon Oceania for the last four years. During this time I have worked with some talented people that have supported the achievements that we as a business have made.

"In Yusuke Mizoguchi and Kim Conner, we have two l leaders that will take the Canon Oceania business to the next level."

Mizoguchi says: “It is with great honour that I take on the leadership of managing director, Canon Australia and Oceania.

"Everyone who works in the Canon Oceania region has tremendous respect for what Taz Nakamasu and his team have achieved during his tenure. I take on a business that is in great shape.”

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