Elsworth takes Holden marketing reins

GM HOLDEN has announced the appointment of John Elsworth to the position of executive director for sales and marketing, effective from September 1.

Mr Elsworth replaces Alan Batey, who becomes Holden’s fourth chairman and managing director in less than two years, after the promotion of Mark Reuss to the position of vice-president of global vehicle engineering for General Motors, based in Detroit.

He joins Holden’s senior leadership team and will report directly to Mr Batey, along with the managing director of Holden New Zealand, Simon Carr, and GM Holden aftersales director, John Scotton.

Left: GM Holden's new chairman and managing director Alan Batey.

A holder of a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Marketing degree from the Melbourne Business School, Mr Elsworth joined Holden in June 1990 and has held positions within Holden’s marketing, planning, pricing, distribution and zone sales divisions.

He was appointed marketing director in April 2002 and assumed his current role as sales director – a position that is yet to be filled – in September 2007.

“John is an experienced marketer who has built strong relationships within the Holden dealer network,” said Mr Batey in an internal staff bulletin to announce Mr Elsworth’s appointment last week.

“Please join me in congratulating John on his new role and wishing him well as he takes on his new challenges and responsibilities.”