AFTER three years as chief customer and marketing officer at Audi Australia, Nikki Warburton has joined automotive website CarExpert’s board as a non-executive director, effective immediately.

Warburton has ‘skin in the game’ after revealing she has taken a financial stake in CarExpert.

However, due to commitments elsewhere including on the boards of Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL team and at MA Financial Group, strategic advisor at Automotive Superstore, and a mentor with the Marketing Academy, Warburton’s active participation in CarExpert will be limited to one day a week.

Warburton began her automotive career 25 years ago at ASTRE Automotive, then Australian distributor for Audi, Hyundai and Chrysler Jeep, where she eventually became general manager for marketing.

During those 25 years she has functioned in various senior executive and Board roles with a track record of delivering tangible business results across a range of industries from automotive and advertising, through to subscription TV (Austar).

CEO, Damon Rielly, also a recent appointment to CarExpert from iCar Asia, told Mumbrella, a media industry publication, that Warburton’s extensive experience in the automotive space makes her a great asset for the business.

“I’m really excited and proud to welcome Nikki to the CarExpert board. Nikki’s expertise in the automotive industry and insights into what makes OEM’s, New Car Dealerships and New Car buyers tick will provide us an even greater understanding in building market-leading products.”

“Nikki’s active involvement in the Australian business community will help build CarExpert’s reputation as Australia’s leading online new car marketplace,” he said.

Nikki Warburton also told Mumbrella: “I look forward to working with the highly passionate CarExpert team to shape the growth agenda and continue to build their reputation as Australia’s most trusted and respected car expert.”

In late 2021, Seven West Media made a multi-million dollar investment in CarExpert, as well as appointing the business as its primary automotive partner, shortly after the two companies agreed on a data and content deal.

Nikki Warburton is married to chief executive of Seven West Media, James Warburton.

By Peter Barnwell