Holden’s new boss

Kristian Aquilina has been appointed as successor to Holden New Zealand’s current managing director, Jeff Murray, who heads back to General Motors Holden Australia (GMH) at the end of the year. He will take over the reins in January 2015 and will also oversee Isuzu Trucks in this country. Aquilina, who started his career at GMH in 1997, says: “I’ve had a bit to do with Holden NZ over the years. I can’t wait to become a part of the business there and get to know the staff along with Holden and Isuzu dealers. I have some big shoes to fill, but I’m looking forward to the challenges. “New Zealand is an awesome place. My wife Megan and I holidayed in the South Island a couple of times before the kids came along and hopefully we’ll get the chance to see more of the country.” A Victorian by birth and an avid AFL fan, Aquilina also played some rugby in his earlier years and is keen to understand why the Wallabies have a hard time playing the All Blacks. “I’ve only been to one Wallabies All Blacks test in Melbourne and the All Blacks won,” he says. “I’m not sure how they are consistently the best in the world with a population of about four-and-a-half million, but I’m keen to find out. Having the opportunity to embrace Kiwi culture is an enticing prospect, but to be able to do that with my family is the icing on the cake.” Aquilina began working at GMH in corporate affairs where he helped to launch the VT Commodore in 1997. He has since gained a wealth of experience in many different areas. From 2001-03, he was in vehicle sales service and marketing at GMH, and between 2003 and 2005 he was manager of sales for Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, GMH and Dubai. From 2005-07, Aquilina was national manager of government relations and public policy with GMH and was its manager of export sales for the following year. He was then marketing manager for large cars, SUVs and light commercials from 2008-13 before being GMH’s zone for Victoria and Tasmania from 2013-14. In previous roles, Aquilina has worked with a few GM brands including Chevrolet in Brazil and the Middle East, Pontiac in the US and Buick in China.