Turners Automotive Group was formed through the 2014 merger of New Zealand’s largest vehicle and machinery retailer, Turners Auctions, and leading consumer finance and insurance business, Dorchester Pacific.The company has grown markedly since then through a program of considered acquisition before consolidating into the current well integrated entity.
Board of Directors
Grant Baker
Non-executive Chairman
Appointed September 2009
Grant Baker has wide experience at a senior level in both public and private New Zealand companies. He has been involved in a number of successful ventures, including 42 Below Vodka and Trilogy International. He is chairman on NZX listed Me Today Limited, director of Liam Lawson Management Limited, and was chairman of 42 Below Vodka and Trilogy International.
With a 6.75% shareholding, Grant is a long term committed investor in Turners Automotive Group and has been Chairman of Turners Automotive Group since September 2009. As an avid collector of specialist vehicles and a motor racing enthusiast, both as a competitor and as a backer of young up and coming drivers. He is currently chairman of the Liam Lawson Supporters Partnership and is passionate about the strong Turners brand and its focus on cars.
Matthew Harrison
Non-executive Director
Appointed December 2012
Matthew Harrison has extensive management experience and a background in finance and business administration. He is the former Managing Director of EC Credit Control, the debt recovery business acquired in 2012 and has great experience dealing with credit cycles and credit management. He joined EC Credit Control in 1998, following senior management roles in the courier industry. Matthew joined the Turners Automotive Group Board in 2012 and represents his family interests, which have a 7.03% combined holding in the company. Matthew is a self-confessed “car nut” and has collected and owned a variety of special cars over the years. He is very enthusiastic about the future of Turners and, given his large shareholding and love for automobiles, is strongly committed to seeing Turners continue its successful journey.
Alistair Petrie
Non-executive Director
Appointed February 2016
Alistair Petrie has over 15 years of senior management experience in both private and listed companies in the agribusiness sector. He has extensive knowledge in sales and marketing in both international and domestic environments, which is particularly useful for some of the challenges and opportunities. He has a number of directorships with companies that have a focus on growth and innovation, and he represents the interests of Bartel Holdings, which has a 12.96% shareholding in Turners Automotive Group. Alistair worked for many years at Turners & Growers, the original parent company of Turners Auctions, which provides a nice connection at Board level back to those foundational brand values of “trust and integrity”. Alistair has a BSC (hons) from Newcastle Upon Tyne University and an EMBA from Melbourne University.
John Roberts
Independent Director
Appointed July 2015
John Roberts has extensive experience in the financial services industry, having held the role of Managing Director of credit bureau Veda International for 10 years, during which time the Veda Advantage business was successfully listed on the ASX. John previously had over 25 years in advertising, with CEO roles with Saatchi & Saatchi in New Zealand and Asia Pacific, before heading up MasterCard in New Zealand for three years. John is currently a director of Centrix, a leading credit rating agency in NZ, and this keeps him connected with the financial sector and the NZ credit cycle. He is also a director of Apollo Foods Limited which markets Boring Oat Milk & The Apple Press Apple Juice range of products. John’s advertising and branding experience has been invaluable across a number of projects within the business and he continues to add value and thought leadership around the use of data and analytics, drawing on his Veda NZ experience.
Antony Vriens
Independent Director
Appointed January 2015
Antony Vriens has been a director and chairman of Turners’ insurance subsidiary, DPL Insurance (now Autosure), since 2012. He is a highly experienced financial services industry professional, with demonstrated success as a senior executive and consultant in insurance and wealth management businesses across Asia Australia and New Zealand. He brings a hands on, practical and commercial approach and a strong technology focus to his Board role. His relationships across the insurance industry and regulators are highly valuable to the Turners business and his collaborative approach is embraced by both the Board and management.
Lauren Quaintance
Independent Director
Appointed April 2023
Lauren Quaintance has had a highly successful career in media and marketing and as an entrepreneur. She was co-founder and Managing Director of Storyation, a leading digital content marketing agency, which was sold to ASX-listed NewsCorp Australia in late 2019. Lauren was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the B&T Women in Media Awards in Australia and is currently Chief Media and Data Officer for Sky Television. As well as Turners and DPL Insurance, she is an Independent Director for the Crusaders and Deputy Chair for ChristchurchNZ. Her journalistic pedigree combined with digital marketing experience and entrepreneurial skills fit well with the Turners direction and culture.
Executive Team
Todd Hunter
Group Chief Executive Officer
Todd is a strong and experienced senior executive, with a background in marketing, sales and accounting in both large global and domestic businesses. Before joining Turners Auctions in 2006 Todd worked for Microsoft NZ and Ernst and Young. He was appointed CEO of NZX listed Turners Auctions in 2013, and took on the CEO role for the wider Turners Automotive Group in 2016. In 2023 Todd was appointed to the Chair role for the Financial Services Federation, which represents the non-bank lending industry in NZ. Todd is a chartered accountant and holds a Bachelor and Diploma of Commerce from Auckland University.
Aaron Saunders
Group Chief Financial Officer
Aaron joined Turners Group NZ in 2006. He has a strong background in financial and management accounting, at both a strategic and operating level in local and international markets. Over the last 30 years, Aaron has worked across a broad range of company sizes and industries including vehicle importation and distribution, broadcasting and the finance sector. Aaron is a full member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Auckland University.
Greg Hedgepeth
CEO Turners Automotive Retail
Greg joined Turners in 2017 as CEO of the Automotive Retail division, with responsibility for Turners Cars, Trucks & Machinery and the Damaged & End of Life business. He is an experienced automotive executive and has previously held a number of senior roles with BMW Group NZ and Armstrong Motor Group. With a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in marketing from Auckland University he has successfully completed numerous marketing roles, followed by a number of years working for Saatchi & Saatchi in NZ and other advertising agencies overseas. Greg brings a strong strategic sales and marketing focus to his current role.
James Searle
Group General Manager Insurance
James is responsible for the sustainable and profitable growth of DPL Insurance, leading the company’s focus on delivering outstanding outcomes for customers. With over 35 years of experience in the New Zealand insurance industry, James has held various roles encompassing all aspects of insurance, including sales and underwriting, intermediated distribution management, as well as managing several portfolio acquisitions. He joined Turners Automotive Group in 2011 and holds a Diploma of Business (Marketing) from Auckland University.
Jeremy Rooke
Group Chief Digital Officer
Jeremy joined Turners Automotive Group in 2009. His current role involves leading the operation of our group technology services and product functions, as well as leading the adoption of new technologies, business models, and channels to transform Turners’ digital capabilities. Jeremy brings almost 25 years of experience, including several large transformational technology programmes across NZ and Australia prior to Turners. Jeremy holds degrees in Law and Arts from Auckland University.
Matthew Gannaway
CEO EC Credit Control
Matt joined EC Credit Control in 2003 and has worked in many different areas of the business prior to becoming CEO in 2021. He holds a business degree from Massey University and has a strong technology focus to drive better outcomes. With a long career in the credit management industry, Matt brings a wealth of experience and expertise.
Guy Bryden
CEO Oxford Finance
Guy joined Oxford Finance in 2018 as Finance Manager, later becoming COO in 2020, and ultimately CEO in 2024. Guy is a strong finance professional, with over a decade of banking and finance experience across the NZ and UK markets prior to joining Turners. Guy is a chartered accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Otago University.
Maryanne Burns
Group General Manager People & Culture
Maryanne joined Turners in 2019. She has 20 years of experience as a Human Resources Professional in a broad range of industries in New Zealand. These include automotive, financial services, insurance, environmental solutions, importation and distribution. Maryanne has led multiple transformational people projects across a number of businesses.
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