A career spanning 40 years with the New Zealand Automobile Association is coming to an end for Chief Executive Officer Brian Gibbons who will retire at the end of January 2022.

His retirement comes after 30 years heading the NZAA as Chief Executive, and the ten years prior as CEO of the Wellington (Central) Automobile Association which he joined in 1982.

“When I joined there were 15 Automobile clubs in New Zealand, and a total AA Membership of around 600,000 New Zealanders. I was asked to bring them all together in 1991 to form one Association, and today there are more than 1.78 million Members, with 1,000 staff employed nationwide to provide the high levels of service that our Members expect of us.

“It’s been a fantastic journey, but I know that when I retire next year, I leave an Association that is in good health, and is seen as one of the most trusted brands in New Zealand,” Brian said. 

The Board is working with Aspire Executive Search to conduct a national and international search for the new CEO.

Association President Gary Stocker says Brian has been an inspirational leader.

“Brian has built an Association that is regarded as one of the most successful Automobile Clubs in the world. Its activities on behalf of Members are incredibly diverse, from roadside assistance with more than 500,000 Members rescued on the roadside each year, to tourism services and the provision of maps and guides, as well as offering driver licensing services nationwide on behalf of Waka Kotahi NZTA. The Association also offers Members all forms of insurance, financial services, expert advice at AA Auto Centres nationwide and driver training.

“All this has been achieved without increasing the annual Membership fee for 30 years, and most Members receive more in benefits and discounts than the cost of the subscription. Brian’s achievements quickly attracted the attention of the world body of Motoring Clubs, the FIA (Federation of Internationale de L’ Automobile), which has a membership of 245 clubs in 146 countries. In 2017 Brian was appointed President of the FIA Senate, a position he retains to this day, which is an absolutely stunning achievement and a recognition of his skills and high calibre of leadership,” Gary said. 

“My continued focus is on the Association for the rest of the year, as we remain poised to meet any fresh challenges that Covid may pose, while developing a range of new services and benefits for our Members. I look forward to ensuring an orderly transition for the new CEO, who I know will relish, as I have done, the strong service culture at the AA, which ensures that everything we do is with a Member Benefit focus,” Brian added. 

Brian will continue on as CEO until the end of January 2022, and then retire to spend more time with his family, but is expected to continue his role with the FIA.