First woman CFO at Ford SA

Yota Baron has been appointed the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Ford South Africa, the first woman to fill this position in the local company’s history.

Yota Baron Main Image

She previously served as CFO for Direct Markets within the Ford International Markets Group.

Originally from South Africa, Baron takes over as CFO of the local operations from Joseph (Pepe) Verga, who will be returning to the United States. Verga has been Ford South Africa’s CFO since November 2016.

“We welcome Yota back to the Ford South Africa family, where her vast global experience in finance will further enhance our drive to reinvigorate our business as we focus on creating must-have products and services, treating customers like family and delivering on our goal of turning our automotive operations around to be more competitive,” says Neale Hill, MD of Ford South Africa.

“It is fitting that the announcement of Yota’s appointment happens in August, which is Women’s Month,” Hill says. “Her intimate knowledge of the local operations, matched to her extensive financial acumen on a global stage, will be invaluable during this exciting new chapter for Ford in South Africa.

Yota Baron, Ford’s new CFO in South Africa.

Baron has gained a wealth of experience during her 31-year career at Ford, with her focus primarily on emerging markets in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions in several leadership positions, including internal control, treasury, customs and tax, marketing, as well as manufacturing finance.

She was instrumental in setting up the Finance team in the regional Ford Dubai office for Middle East and Africa, where she was responsible for financial control of the Marketing Sales & Service division for two and a half years, before taking over the role of Profit Manager in March 2018 – a position she held until being appointed CFO for Ford Direct Markets in September 2020.

Prior to relocating to Dubai, Baron was the Operations Controller at Ford South Africa, responsible for the financial management of the Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria and the Struandale Engine Plant in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), between August 2013 and September 2015.

This followed almost seven years in the finance arm of the Asia Pacific region in Bangkok and Shanghai, first as Marketing Sales and Service Controller from 2007, then moving into the Business Planning Manager role in 2010.

“Returning to South Africa and being reunited with our daughters, family and friends after a long separation owing to travel restrictions have been a blessing and cannot be measured,” Baron says.

Baron has a Commerce Degree she attained at The University of Pretoria, and speaks Afrikaans, English and Greek. She has two children and is married to husband, Michael.

More Industry News stories

Dealership fined for contravening the CPA

Dealership fined for contravening the CPA

A vehicle dealership has been fined R200 000 for contravening sections of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) by refusing a consumer’s request to cancel his vehicle purchase transaction two days after the purchased vehicle’s engine seized.

  • 26 March 2025
Rare Beemers, other exotic vehicles on auction

Rare Beemers, other exotic vehicles on auction

On Thursday, 27 March from 18:30, Creative Rides will be offering six of the most iconic BMWs of all time at its auction, which is taking place at its showroom in Main Road, Bryanston.

  • 26 March 2025
Crimes related to vehicles still very high

Crimes related to vehicles still very high

The crime stats for quarter three of last year (October to December) were recently released, and although vehicle related crimes show a decrease in most areas, it still remains very high, says MasterDrive. Other areas, however, saw increases, including the carjacking of business-owned vehicles.

  • 25 March 2025