BRIAN GIBBONS   Biography

 

Chief Executive of the New Zealand Automobile Association

Brian Gibbons was appointed to this role in 1990, when New Zealand's 15 independent motoring clubs merged into one national body; a process in which Brian was heavily involved. The one national body, known as the New Zealand Automobile Association (NZAA), was the culmination of a number of mergers which had commenced eight years earlier, following Brian's appointment as Chief Executive Officer of AA (Central) Inc. Prior to joining the NZAA, Brian had extensive experience in financial and managerial roles within the motor vehicle industry and later with Boots Pharmaceuticals.

Brian's goal has been for the NZAA to provide consistent service throughout the country and to grow Membership. He has introduced a new range of club services relevant to motorists, including: driver licensing, insurance, tourism guides, financial loans, a loyalty discount programme, battery service, technical repairs, vehicle inspections and motor industry awards.

This diversification of business activity - together with his philosophy of holding Membership subscription rates, building strategic commercial partnerships, effective brand management and database marketing - has seen NZAA Membership increase. Membership has doubled to 1.2 million since the merger to one national body. As a result of Brian's leadership, the NZAA has commercially prospered and today it is in a very strong financial position.

Brian holds board directorships in a number of NZAA subsidiary and joint venture companies. He has a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University of Wellington, and is a qualified Chartered Accountant. He is also a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and a Justice of the Peace.

Brian is currently a member of the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism and is the Secretary for Region II Mobility.

Now in his mid-50s, Brian is married to Sue, with whom he has five adult children. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand, and enjoys a number of outdoor recreational pursuits.