Fiat Chrysler Chief in Asia Quickly Quits

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

The head of the Asia Pacific region for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles abruptly left his position Thursday, only a few days before the former head of FCA in Australia is expected to file a defense against allegations that he misused money, Drive in Australia is reporting.

FCA Asian-Pacific chief John Kett left the company “to pursue other business interests,” according to the automaker. His resignation is effective immediately.

Former managing director of FCA in Australia Clyde Campbell is accused by the automaker of swindling more than $30 million from the company to pay for extravagant parties and gifts.

It’s unclear if Kett’s departure has any connection with Campbell’s expected defense that he misused money.

Jeep CEO and Asian Pacific chief operating officer Mike Manley will assume Kett’s duties on an interim basis, the company said.

Campbell is accused of providing cars to celebrities such as Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne, in addition to hosting lavish parties and buying a $400,000 yacht with company money.

Kett has a long automotive career stretching back to the 1980s when he was CFO for Holden in Australia. After assuming various roles with GM in China and Australia, Kett was hired by Chrysler in 2008 and promoted to his role in 2009.


Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

More by Aaron Cole

Comments
Join the conversation
 7 comments
  • DeadWeight DeadWeight on Jul 24, 2015

    File under Hookers & Blow.

  • Cognoscenti Cognoscenti on Jul 24, 2015

    Come on Aaron, you can do better than this. It's a confusing mish-mash that reads like an attempt to tie together two company executives in entirely different regions. Because you switch back and forth between information about two separate people, the reader logically ties the two together when there may in fact be no connection. Although I could care less about either of these guys, I think it is irresponsible to imply a connection, while stating that "It's unclear" whether there is a connection or not.

    • See 2 previous
    • Ect Ect on Jul 24, 2015

      If Kett made the decision to hire Campbell, and Campbell reported to him, it's fair to hold him accountable for Campbell's gross misconduct. As an aside, the list of Finance execs who go on to great success in operating roles is remarkably short. Kett becomes another example of how that doesn't happen.

  • APaGttH APaGttH on Jul 24, 2015

    I hear they found his package of prescription pain pills...

Next