
Currently national sales and marketing manager of Canon’s consumer imaging products group, Manson takes over from Tony Wills as managing director on September 3.
Wills has been promoted to senior general manager of Canon’s business imaging solutions group (BISG) in Australia, based in Sydney.
During his three years as managing director Wills presided over significant restructuring at Canon New Zealand and Manson does not believe the company needs any further major changes.
“Canon has been though a lot changes over the past three years and Tony did a great job. I see my role as an extension of that – there is no need to change the world.”
However, Manson wants to see Canon move faster and with more energy than before. “The plan is to take the great concepts we’ve got and bring them to the market in a timely manner.”
Manson is Canon New Zealand’s third managing director in almost as many years, but unlike his predecessors is relatively new to the company.
He joined in March 2005 from hair products company Schwarzkopf as the BISG national sales manager.
Wills meanwhile had been with Canon for 18 years, mostly in Europe, when he became managing director here in July 2004, taking over from Gordon Lamont who held the position for 11 years, and spent a total of 19 years with Canon.
Manson says Wills’ expertise will not be lost to Canon New Zealand, as he will remain on the company’s Oceania executive committee.