From Milton Keynes to MTA

Meet our new CEO

Haere mai Lee Marshall – the new Chief Executive of MTA.

Lee takes up the role this month after a successful career in the rental vehicle sector – most recently as General Manager of Avis Budget Group.

“What I find particularly appealing about my new role is that MTA is a very long-standing, proud organisation that is of a scale that no other trade association for the automotive industry can really compare to,” Lee says.

“On top of that, MTA is in a relatively unique position to pivot to something slightly different to what it is right now. It’s very financially secure and sound, and as such is well placed to evolve.

“Joining MTA is a change and opportunity to learn about something different. I’m really looking forward to getting started.”

He may be new to MTA, but his birthplace will be familiar to many MTA members.

“I come from Milton Keynes in England, and if you’re particularly into cars and motor sport, you’ll know it’s where a lot of Formula 1 teams base themselves as it’s close to Silverstone.

“I’ve watched quite a lot of F1, especially when I was a kid.”

Fast forward to 2009, his big OE, and Kiwi shores were beckoning.

“I came here as a backpacker with no intention to stay. The plan was to just pick some apples, save some money, then move on to somewhere else, but someone convinced me to go to Queenstown and learn how to ski.

“I thought that was a good idea, and ended up meeting the woman who is now my wife.”

Now Lee and Lorena have three children aged 11, eight and six.

They currently call Christchurch home, but not for much longer - with his new role, Lee will work out of MTA’s Auckland campus.

A current driver of a 2020 diesel Landcruiser –“a great family car and the best vehicle ever for going up skifields” – a plug-in hybrid or other sustainable vehicle is on the shopping list now he’s moving up to the ‘Big Smoke’.

Lee spent much of the last three years guiding the Avis Budget group through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Asked to describe his style, Lee, 39, says: “People from the outside see me as a changemaker, someone who challenges the status quo.” Which will stand him in good stead in his new role.

“We are arguably at the start of a period of significant change, with manufacturers moving towards electrified fleets, and MTA is going to have to change more in the next five to 10 years than perhaps it has done in the last 50.” And while he’s new to MTA, Lee has no doubt about one of his first priorities.

“I look forward to getting out there and meeting members, listening to what they want to talk about, and finding out what’s important to them.

“Ultimately the challenges they’re facing and what they need help with going into the future.

“Members are the heart of MTA and I’m looking forward to meeting as many as possible.”

Lee replaces interim CEO Ian Pike, who left as planned in early April. Ian guided MTA through 15 months of changes to MTA’s operating location model and team composition.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at MTA,” Ian said before his departure. “It’s been full of challenges and change – never a dull moment, in fact.

“I’d like to thank all members, staff and the MTA Board for their support during my time here.

“My best wishes to Lee. I’ve no doubt MTA is in good hands.”

Lee’s CV

Employment:

• General Manager, Avis Budget Group

• Director of Operations, Ezi Car Rental

• Commercial Manager, JUCY Group

• Hospitality Lecturer, International Pacific College

• English teacher, Aston Educational Group, Guiyang, China

Education:

• BSc Sport Science, Bangor University

May day: our call to Government

The countdown is on. New Zealand will go to the polls in six months and choose its next Government.

We probably won’t even know the result of the 54th Parliament on 14 October itself, if previous elections are anything to go by. There are bound to be some surprises, shocks, and maybe the odd scandal.

And when the dust settles, it may be red-led, have a blue hue or a green lean. No one can say for sure, but one thing is certain: we will have a new team of ministers with new agendas and new challenges.

And we want them to know what matters to us: the automotive industry, the industry that keeps New Zealand moving, that employs thousands of skilled workers, that contributes to our economy and our environment; the industry that faces unprecedented change and uncertainty in a post-pandemic world.

That’s why we are launching our political call to action on 9 May at a special event at the Beehive. It will be the biggest event on the MTA calendar this year. We will have ministers, MPs, stakeholders, MTA members and media to hear our voice and see our vision.

We will present a document outlining the key issues and priorities for our sector now and in the future. We’re laying out what needs to change, what the new Government needs to address, and how we can work with them to achieve success.

Times are tough for many of you, and we want to make sure the next Government recognises your importance and contribution to our communities by supporting you.

After all, a robust automotive sector is essential for a strong country. And our industry is going through a transformation as we all move towards a more sustainable national fleet.

We will tell them what we need from them to support us: action on labour shortage, crime prevention, better clean car policies and more. Issues that affect your business every day. Issues that we have heard from you through consultations across the country.

We will show them how we can work together to achieve success by fostering a strong and sustainable automotive sector that

Brian Anderton, Advocacy and Stakeholder Manager.

serves our communities and our country. A sector that adapts to new technologies, has sensible regulations and response to new customer demands.

We will ensure they remember us when they form their policies and plans for the election and after 14 October and ensure they recognise our importance and value as essential to New Zealand’s society and economy. This event is not just a one-off. It’s part of our ongoing advocacy for you, our MTA members. This event is for you. And we hope you can join us there. Because together, we can make a difference for our industry and for New Zealand.

If you'd like to attend the event, email RSVP@mta.org.nz. Spaces are limited.