Mercedes-Benz South Africa appoints Baker McKenzie as company secretary 2 months after Taryn Woodbridge became CEO

Mercedes-Benz South Africa Limited has appointed Baker McKenzie as its new company secretary, filling a key governance position two months after Taryn Woodbridge became the company’s first female chief executive officer.

The appointment, which took effect on August 1, 2026, was announced by Mercedes-Benz South Africa on August 10 in a notice issued to noteholders in accordance with the JSE Limited Debt and Specialist Securities Listings Requirements.

Baker McKenzie takes up governance role

Baker and McKenzie Incorporated, a global law firm structured as a Swiss Verein providing corporate legal services to major companies and organizations worldwide and commonly known as Baker McKenzie, was appointed by the company’s board to serve as company secretary of the South African automotive group.

The appointment follows a vacancy in the position after Denis Peterson stepped down as General Counsel and Company Secretary on May 31, 2026, as part of a broader leadership transition at Mercedes-Benz South Africa.

Mercedes-Benz South Africa said its board was satisfied that Baker McKenzie possesses the requisite expertise and experience to carry out the responsibilities of company secretary.

The law firm will support the issuer in meeting its corporate governance and compliance obligations, strengthening the governance structure of the company as it enters a new phase under Woodbridge’s leadership.

Baker McKenzie’s South African office is located at 55 Eastwood Road, Oxford Parks, Dunkeld, Rosebank, Johannesburg. The company secretary appointment comes shortly after a significant change at the top of Mercedes-Benz South Africa.

Taryn Woodbridge takes the helm

Woodbridge assumed the position of CEO on June 1, 2026, becoming the first woman to lead Mercedes-Benz South Africa.

She succeeded Andreas Brand, who moved into a global role at Mercedes-Benz AG in Stuttgart as Head of Supply Chain Management for Global Customer Services and Parts.

Woodbridge’s appointment marked the culmination of more than two decades with Mercedes-Benz South Africa. She joined the company in 2004 as a Product Control Analyst and subsequently held roles spanning controlling, taxation, accounting and plant performance optimisation.

She entered senior management in 2014, taking responsibility for plant accounting and controlling, where she oversaw cost structures, capital investment and efficiency metrics.

Her progression through the company led to her appointment as CFO in 2022, a role in which she was involved in financial strategy, governance and operational discipline before her elevation to CEO.

Leadership changes reshape Mercedes-Benz South Africa

Woodbridge’s move to the CEO position formed part of a wider leadership reshuffle at the South African arm of the Mercedes-Benz Group.

Ulf Nestler succeeded her as CFO. Nestler previously served as CFO of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India and brings experience in financial strategy, governance and cross-border integration, including work on mergers and acquisitions in China.

Peterson’s departure as General Counsel and Company Secretary left a vacancy that has now been filled by Baker McKenzie. The latest appointment therefore completes another element of the governance transition that accompanied Woodbridge’s move into the chief executive role.

Strengthening governance under new leadership

For Mercedes-Benz South Africa, the appointment of Baker McKenzie comes as the company continues to align its local leadership structure with the broader priorities of the Mercedes-Benz Group.

With Woodbridge leading the business, Nestler overseeing its financial function and Baker McKenzie assuming responsibility for the company secretary role, the latest changes strengthen the company’s leadership and governance framework following a period of executive transition.

Mercedes-Benz South Africa remains an important part of the German automaker’s manufacturing and export operations, making continuity in financial, governance and operational leadership particularly important as the automotive industry navigates changing production, supply-chain and market dynamics.