Michael Thorburn Email & Phone Number

Southport, Queensland, Australia

General Manager once more for the Gold Coast Jaguar Land Rover franchise, however under new ownership, a newly constructed dealership and the challenge to create a preeminent and respected luxury brand.

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Sabbatical Career Break - Obtained our Permesso Di Soggiorno residency for Italy and used our apartment in central Florence as a base for travelling throughout Europe.

Southport

“As an accomplished Senior leader in the automotive industry on the Gold Coast, I was head hunted to lead the strategic planning and execution of the business during their redevelopment and facility upgrade, with a goal to sustain ongoing growth.” Key Achievements:✦ Awarded Land Rover Australia Dealer of the Year 2015.✦ In line with strategic vision, conducted a commercial risk analysis, and designed and led the relocation strategy, delivering the plan over the course of 6 months. ✦ Implemented a team capability process, identifying key gaps within the team, and created performance plans and development goals. Within the first three months, each team member increased their KPI targets and sales success. ✦ Implemented a Service and Parts program/initiative, directly increasing sales and customer paid units serviced. ✦ Established Pre-Approved operation along with ‘Brand at Retail’ and CI audit processes. Key Outcomes:✦ Accountable for the leadership and development of a small team, up to 43 multidisciplinary employees, within the prestige marques of Jaguar and Land Rover. ✦ Led the improvement of an employee recognition program, that introduced more transparent Reward & Recognition targets and outcomes. ✦ Commercial accountability, setting business strategy and delivery, across the dealership brand. ✦ Maintained and led the implementation of policy, procedures and processes, leading to improved customer experience, sales success and net profitability. ✦ Managed all escalated customer complaints, and ‘Brand at Retail’ KPI and audits. ✦ Accountable for the management of sister brands and extended group businesses at separate sites, including; Alfa Romeo, Fiat, SsangYong, Chery, Tata and a prestige pre-owned car yard. Scope of responsibility included total operations, Financials, staff leadership and customer success.

Victoria, Australia

“As the Regional Manager, I managed the sales and marketing accountabilities and led the Dealer Development across Victoria and Tasmania. I target driven role, with a focus across strategic growth and profit raising.” Key Achievements: ✦ Adjusted PMA representation, from 12 to 21 Dealers, through strategic business development and acquisition. This successfully improved market share and overall net profitability across allocated regions. ✦ Developed strategic business plans with Dealer Principals and created monthly reporting dashboard for improved accountability and visibility. ✦ Implemented and chaired quarterly Dealer Principal meetings (Victoria only), defining and structuring meeting agendas to focus on commercial goals. ✦ Implemented Sales vs Inventory SSRD reporting (Region and Dealers). ✦ Managed capacity planning, labour model management and sourcing across the facilities (2 & 5 years reporting).✦ Developed analysis reports for market segment opportunities and action plans. Successfully implemented several region specific programs to boost sales. ✦ Created and implemented the IUA Dealer Induction Plan for new Dealer appointments, streamlining and creating consistent on-boarding processes for dealers. Key Outcomes: ✦ Undertook a review of companywide practice from account management, sales and administration. Identified key gaps and devised an improvement plan, rolling it out across dealerships. Improved the quality of customer service and profitability across all dealerships in Victoria and Tasmania. ✦ Conducted extensive analysis and alignment of all PMA boundaries, including the selection, interview and assessment of new Dealer appointments. ✦ Implemented a team capability review, identifying key gaps within the team, and created performance plans and development goals, for all dealers. Within the first three months, each team member increased their KPI targets and sales success.

Southport, Queensland, Australia

“As General Manager for over a decade, I took on dual responsibility and delivered Dealer Principal accountabilities. Pivotal in the strategic development and execution across commercial and operational facets of the business. I also managed Mercedes-Benz LCV for 7 years as General Manager.” Key Achievements: ✦ Over the course of tenure, successfully achieved $100M~ in revenue, over 3 sites, led by a team of 121 sales agents and operational team. ✦ Successfully outperformed sales targets through effective market analysis, identifying, developing and implementing targeted marketing strategies. A key highlight was a consecutive 24 months of achieving sales targets.✦ Led the implementation of an intuitive acquisition and retention, CRM system, in conjunction with redeveloped Marketing activities, including; Call Centre strategy, Media strategy, EDMs, SMS campaigns, Social, Web, SEO, Ad Words and major events. ✦ Launched a highly profitable Toyota Satellite Service Centre, with expansion planned over 3 years. Increased service sales by 37% and gross profit by 52% due to substantially lower cost overheads and increased workshop efficiency.✦ Implemented a sustainable culture of achievement by way of active staff engagement and performance management reviews.✦ Silver Knights Award – 2004 through to 2013 inclusive.✦ Triple Crown Award – 2004 through to 2013 inclusive.✦ Toyota Financial Services Queensland Dealer of the Year – 2010.✦ Toyota Insurance Queensland Dealer of the Year – 2009 & 2012.✦ Committee member of Toyota National Dealer Systems group.✦ Committee member of Dealership Advisory Board at Carsales Pty Ltd.✦ Sponsorship of the Gold Coast Suns AFL team 2011 & 2012.✦ Contracted Gary Ablett Jnr as the Grand Motors Ambassador from 2010– 2013.✦ Committee member of the Gold Coast Community Fund charity.