Edwina Gilbert

AUSTRALIA’S  leading auto classifieds website, Carsales, has appointed a second dealer as a director to expand the board’s knowledge and understanding of dealership operations which remain core to the company’s Australian revenues.

Edwina Gilbert, was appointed as a non-executive director this month.  She joins prominent Adelaide dealer and long-standing director Rick Collins in the boardroom.

Ms Gilbert is a daughter of prominent Sydney Toyota and Hyundai dealer, Phil Gilbert  and has had extensive experience throughout the family business.  The first dealer on the Carsales board was leading Melbourne car retailer and prominent investor in Carsales, Geoff Brady, who has since retired.

Ms Gilbert is presently dealer principal of Gillen Motors and a director of Phil Gilbert Motor Group.  She began her professional career in law before joining the Phil Gilbert Motor Group in 2003.

She progressed through the business in various roles including overseeing the acquisition and opening of new dealerships and is responsible for setting the strategic direction of her dealership.  She manages 200 staff with two brands in two busy metropolitan locations.

Ms Gilbert has three children and one of her two sisters also works in the family group.

Ms Gilbert said that joining the Carsales was a great opportunity.

“It  is a vital part of the automotive industry in Australia and I am very impressed with what it is doing to impact other markets around the world. I have tremendous respect for Greg Roebuck and the other board members, and I look forward to working with them and the executive team,” said Ms Gilbert.

Ms Gilbert brings the number of Carsales directors to seven. Her appointment follows consideration of a number of candidates.

Carsales chairman,  Jeff Browne, said:  “Edwina has extremely desirable automotive industry experience.

“We were specifically looking for a new board member to bring additional industry representation to the table and Edwina’s deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities from a Dealer Principal’s perspective, are rare and invaluable.”

Carsales CEO Greg Roebuck said: “As a company, we constantly seek to understand the needs of all of our customers.  Edwina is in an excellent position to provide great insight to our board to ensure we keep serving our dealer customers’ needs.”

By John Mellor