Holden corporate affairs moves

HOLDEN has announced that its executive director of corporate affairs George Svigos will relocate to Singapore to lead the communications activities of General Motors International.

Effective February 2, Mr Svigos’ move has seen two managers promoted as directors of the company – senior manager of corporate communications Sean Poppitt will take up the role of director of communications while government relations and public policy adviser David Magill will step up as director of government relations.

Joining Holden’s senior leadership team, Mr Poppitt and Mr Magill will report directly to interim chairman and managing director Jeff Rolfs, who has been in charge of the company since Gerry Dorizas’ shock resignation in October.

At GM International, Mr Svigos will be responsible for all internal and external corporate communications, reporting to GMI vice-president of communications Lori Arpin.

He will also assist GMI vice-president of government relations and public policy Matt Hobbs, who is another former Holden executive.

Mr Poppitt has more than 10 years’ experience in the automotive industry, both in public relations (notably Audi) and journalism (including Wheels magazine), and has worked for Holden since 2011. His previous roles included corporate affairs manager for South Australia and Western Australia.

Mr Magill joined Holden in 2010 and has been a driving force behind Holden’s government relations and public policy activities.

He has several years’ experience in federal ministerial and shadow ministerial offices, and also worked in private equity with Peter Holmes à Court in Sydney and in mining and agriculture in Western Australia.