AA Motoring Services has been overwhelmed with the level of high-calibre talent attracted by its expansion, with a slew of new senior roles now filled.

AA Motoring Services has 38 AA Auto Centres, with the two most recent additions opening in Rangiora last week and Manukau this week, and more than 140 AA Approved Repairers nationwide.

General Manager AA Motoring Services Jonathan Sergel said he’s absolutely rapt with the interest expressed in joining the team.

“We received more than 320 applications for our new roles. We are fortunate that, despite the uncertainty this year has brought, at the AA there are still significant opportunities for growth; growing the number of customers we serve (both AA Members and non-Members), growing our product range, and continuing to grow our network,” Jonathan said.

Two new roles of Northern Region Relationship Manager and Southern Region Relationship Manager will look after the nationwide Auto Centre Franchises and Approved Repairer Network.

“Stephen Deans will be joining us as Northern Relationship Manager from the Giltrap Group where he has been in leadership roles for more than a decade. Most recently the National Sales and Corporate Manager for Skoda NZ, Stephen is a fully qualified automotive technician who has spent time on the floor and in management roles based around sales, after sales support and servicing over the course of an extensive career. With his expert knowledge of workshop environments, sales and customer service Stephen will be a great fit.

“We are also absolutely thrilled to have promoted Grant Waters, who has been with the AA as the Vehicle Inspections Manager in Christchurch for the past four years, into the role of Southern Relationship Manager. Over the course of his career Grant has worked as an automotive technician to running workshops and then into management so comes with the whole skillset required to set our AA Auto Centre franchise partners and AA Approved Repairers up for success. Prior to his role at the AA Grant was the South Island manager for Hydraulink NZ Ltd,” Jonathan added.

A new Business Development Manager focused on delivering additional business across all products and services as well as growing the Auto Centre and Approved Repairer networks will be leading expansion plans.

“I’m delighted to be welcoming Jason O’Connell on board from Air New Zealand into the role of Business Development Manager. A strong leader with a well-rounded approach to business, Jason brings a commercially astute customer centric approach to the AA.

“I am really excited by the evolution these roles will be able to support, and I know that this will ensure the long-term success of AA Motoring Services as we continue to build our trusted expert motoring network nationwide,” Jonathan said.