After more than two decades with the company, including nearly four years as CFO, Taryn Woodbridge reflects on a leadership journey shaped by financial acumen, operational excellence and a deep commitment to people, performance and trust.
Taryn Woodbridge’s appointment as CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa, effective 1 June 2026, marks the culmination of a 20-year journey within the organisation. Taking over from Andreas Brand, she steps into the role after serving almost four years as CFO and holding a range of senior finance and operational leadership positions. In reflecting on her appointment, she describes the moment as both “surreal and deeply humbling”, emphasising gratitude for the people who have supported her career and a strong sense of responsibility as she prepares to lead the company through a period of industry transformation.
You are stepping into the CEO role after more than two decades at Mercedes-Benz South Africa. What emotions and reflections came with this appointment?
Stepping into this role feels both surreal and deeply humbling. Mercedes-Benz South Africa has been a big part of my journey for over two decades. It’s where I have grown, learnt and been given opportunities to stretch myself in ways I never imagined early on in my career.
When I started, I was simply focused on doing the best I could in each role, saying yes to opportunities and learning along the way. Looking back now, it is clear how each step, each challenge and each relationship built, contributed to this moment.
There is a deep sense of gratitude for the people who supported me, the leaders who trusted me and the teams I have worked with, but equally a deep responsibility to lead with purpose at such a pivotal time for both the company and the industry.
Looking back at your journey through finance and operational leadership roles, which experiences best prepared you for the CEO position?
I do not think it was one single experience, but rather the combination of many. My career has been shaped by stepping into different roles, often outside of my comfort zone, and being willing to learn quickly.
Starting in finance gave me strong discipline and a solid foundation, but moving into operational roles really changed my perspective. It allowed me to understand how the business works end-to-end and how decisions translate into real outcomes on the ground.
Managing different teams, sometimes across locations, and balancing multiple responsibilities also taught me resilience and adaptability. But perhaps most importantly, it was learning to build relationships, to become someone people trust and turn to, that really prepared me for leadership at this level.
How has your time as CFO shaped the kind of CEO you intend to be?
My time as CFO has grounded me in discipline, accountability and the importance of making well-considered decisions. It teaches you to think holistically about risk and about the long-term impact of every decision.
But beyond the numbers, it also reinforced something very important for me – people and trust. Over the years, I have come to appreciate that strong performance is built on strong relationships and teams that feel empowered and supported. With this role, I intend to bring that balance with me: a focus on performance and discipline, but equally a strong belief in people, development, and creating an environment where others can succeed.
What leadership lessons did you learn from working closely with Andreas Brand during his tenure as CEO?
Working with Andreas was a meaningful part of my journey. One of the key lessons I took from him was the importance of clarity and consistency, especially during uncertain times. He has a way of staying calm and focused, even when navigating complexity, and that creates confidence across the organisation.
What do you see as the biggest priorities for Mercedes-Benz South Africa as you begin this new chapter?
The industry is evolving rapidly and our priority is to ensure that we stay ahead of that change while remaining true to who we are as a brand. That means continuing to build a business that is agile, resilient and future-focused. For me, it’s about building on the strong foundation that already exists: our legacy, our people, and our values. Our customers remain at the centre of everything we do. It is not just about building the world’s most desirable cars, but about creating a full experience that reflects the excellence of our brand.
