Neil Taylor

THE Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) has announced that former head of Greyhound buses in Australia, Neil Taylor, will join the motoring club as managing director and CEO, effective March 1.

Replacing Colin Jordan, who leaves the organisation after 15 years in the job, Mr Taylor is described as bringing “a strong track record of leadership and active engagement with members, customers, stakeholders and staff” to the position.

He spent four years at Greyhound Australia, stepping down late last year, and has previous experience as managing director and CEO of Queensland Sugar Limited (2009-2011), chief executive of Hi-Fert (2005-2009) – a joint venture fertiliser distribution operation between Elders and Landmark, which was subsequently purchased by the Impact Fertiliser Group in 2011 – and marketing manager of CSR (2003-2005).

Prior to that he spent 13 years with BP, working in Australia, the UK, Japan and Belgium primarily in sales, marketing and logistics roles, before rising to manager of the Middle East and South Asia region, based in Dubai.

“The sectors in which RACV operates are undergoing rapid and accelerating change,” Mr Taylor said.

“I believe that this provides opportunities for RACV to grow and innovate, particularly in creating further member value through the use of technology across all areas of the business.

“I am fortunate to inherit a strong company which has an absolute focus on, and commitment to, its 2.1 million loyal members.”

RACV president and chairman Kevin White highlighted Mr Taylor’s work at Greyhound and his focus on people, customer service and technology. He said he was instrumental in building Greyhound into a company “highly regarded for its innovation and use of digital applications to connect with customers”.

Mr White also paid tribute to Mr Jordan, saying that during his tenure the RACV had grown to become “one of the most successful member-centric organisations in the world”.

“RACV’s delivery of member value, its financial performance and brand strength are a huge credit to Mr Jordan’s leadership and he leaves an enduring legacy,” Mr White said.

“In appointing a new managing director and CEO, our goal was to identify someone capable of building on this strong platform and establishing a new phase of growth, value and benefit for RACV’s members.”

By Terry Martin