GWM boosts leadership down under
GWM Australia and New Zealand has made three executive appointments as part of a strategic move for the brand on both sides of the Tasman.
Samuel Mulkearns has been named head of go-to-market and product planning and brings more than a decade of automotive experience to the role after working with brands such as Holden and Toyota.
His career spans product planning, launch strategy, sales planning and market readiness, supported by an academic background of a double degree in engineering and industrial design.
GWM says this combination equips Mulkearns, pictured above, with a strong technical foundation and a deep understanding of customer centric product development.
“Samuel also brings extensive expertise in vehicle safety, electrification, compliance, product lifecycle planning and broader strategic product functions, capabilities that will play an important role as GWM continues its rapid growth in the Australian and New Zealand markets,” the company adds.
In his new position, Mulkearns will work with GWM’s engineering, design and product teams to strengthen the brand’s position by shaping a portfolio tailored specifically to the needs of customers down under.
He will oversee a series of major product introductions as GWM prepares for its biggest launch calendar to date.
“My key priority is to ensure every GWM launch is executed flawlessly while delivering vehicles that are perfectly aligned to what drivers want and expect,” Mulkearns says.
Elevating ownership experience
Carlo Jacobs has been appointed head of customer experience and technical services at GWM ANZ and boasts more than 25 years of technical, operational and customer service leadership across Ford, Holden, GM Middle East and Nationwide Group.
A qualified aerospace engineer, he has led national service operations, technical support functions, warranty strategy, and large scale field teams, delivering improvements in customer satisfaction, vehicle off-road times and operational efficiency.
Jacobs, pictured below right, is now charged with elevating the GWM ownership experience across Australia and New Zealand as the marque invests in aftersales capability.
His remit spans the customer care centre, technical services and the systems that underpin dealer and technician performance.
The third recent appointment by the company is Aniket Nadkarni, pictured below left, becoming head of aftersales operations in Australia.
A senior commercial executive with 15-plus years of cross-industry experience spanning automotive insurance, consulting and telecommunications, he joins GWM from Mitsubishi Motors Australia, where he held a senior national aftersales leadership role covering parts, accessories and collision channels.
In his previous role he led national sales and marketing functions, delivered performance improvement initiatives, and implemented customer-focused programmes across the dealer network.
He also brings original equipment manufacturer and aftermarket expertise from senior leadership roles at Suncorp-owned ACM Parts, working with insurers, fleet operators, government customers and dealer groups to strengthen supply chains, enhance distribution and improve repair outcomes.
John Kett, chief operating officer of GWM ANZ, says the three new appointments are a deliberate and strategic investment in the brand’s future in Australia and New Zealand.
“We are scaling our business, but more importantly, raising our standards,” he explains.
“By strengthening our leadership across go-to-market, customer experience, technical and aftersales, we are ensuring that growth is matched with operational excellence and a best-in-class ownership experience.
“These roles will play a central role in improving operational performance and ensuring GWM delivers consistently across every customer touchpoint.”
