Former Holden chief on GM’s ‘diversity leadership team’

GENERAL Motors has appointed a team of senior executives – including former GM Holden chairman and managing director Mark Reuss – to oversee “diversity strategies” at the American auto giant.

Reporting directly to the executive committee, which is GM’s top decision-making group, the ‘diversity leadership team’ is led by global human resources vice-president Mary Barra and will focus on recruitment, retention and development of employees, dealers and suppliers across the globe.

Ms Barra will report directly to GM president and chief executive Fritz Henderson.

Mr Henderson said: “To win in the marketplace, we have to respond to an increasingly diverse base of customers around the world. To do that successfully, we need diverse employees, suppliers and dealers who bring together a wide range of ideas, experiences, and perspectives.

“The new diversity leadership team makes diversity and inclusion a focal point for our company’s top executives.”

The previous Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) president, Mr Reuss’ intimate knowledge of Holden and the wider Australian car industry could see new opportunities emerge at GM for Holden personnel and Australian component suppliers.

Based in Detroit, Mr Reuss is now vice-president of global product development.

Other members on the team include US sales vice-president Mark LaNeve, global purchasing and supply chain vice-president Bob Socia, environment, energy and safety policy vice-president Mike Robinson, service and parts operations vice-president Kevin Williams, and GM de Mexico president and managing director Grace Lieblein.