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Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) today announced the appointment of Mr. David Appleton of Hamilton as its new General Manager.
The appointment of a General Manager is a culmination of the recent review which looked at MNZ’s current position and future direction.
Mr. Appleton joins the organization with a strong business and financial management background. The 52 year old has held senior positions with Hawkins Construction, Ecolab, NDA International and more recently as Chief financial Officer for CEDOS Group Holdings in Auckland, a company involved in developing communications technology. He has been involved in strategic planning and business restructuring in a number of change management scenarios and is currently assisting in the restructuring and directional change of a high tech performance engine manufacturer.
David’s interest in motorcycles goes back to his days of just leaving school, buying his first bike on hire purchase – a 125cc Honda Benly on which he learnt to ride. He admits to some foolhardy antics on the bike, which he justifies as being \"youthful exuberance\". He also admits to committing a cardinal, and painful, sin – falling off. David then changed to a powerhouse machine of the era- a BSA A10 650 Super Rocket. David believed the in-thing was to fit clip on handlebars and a single racing seat, which he did to the consternation of his parents.
He currently follows most sports but looks forward to renewing his childhood love of motorcycles.
Describing the challenges facing MNZ David is in no doubt the job will be difficult.
\"MNZ is a huge family, of which all the members must feel a significant part. I see the main challenge as bringing together that family under the MNZ umbrella. With thousands of members and clubs spread the length and breadth of the country it is never going to be easy. Each member, each club will be different, but we need to act as one if we are to catapult forward and enable the clubs and MNZ to challenge for the promotional and recreational dollar.\"
To achieve this David responds with a future focus for the sport;
\"We need to ensure that the clubs grow. We need to ensure that the MNZ head office is working efficiently and proactively promoting MNZ and then set a course to communicate all that is happening. This must get to the members, not just secretaries or committees. Communication is the key in any successful business today. I support the many volunteers, club secretaries and presidents whose commitment often goes unrecognized. It can be soul destroying and demoralizing when you’re so busy doing the job that you never get clear communication back from the organization. What MNZ has to do is make the job easier for officials in any way possible and by providing clear communication and feedback.\"
David added that he has met the staff of MNZ and that;
\"They are enthusiastic and dedicated people not just employees. They work very hard to achieve the MNZ goals and to look after members. The members need to be assured of that. What MNZ must achieve over time, is to streamline the systems necessary to administer the sport in New Zealand. We will look at other successful sports administrations to see if we can adopt their successful strategies. We will listen and learn.\"
\"MNZ exists for the benefit of, and to assist the members and the clubs\", he said.
MNZ President Errol Conaghan has welcomed the appointment.
\"We are delighted to have David join us at a time when motorcycle sport is again growing in both participation levels and world focus. David’s considerable business and financial experience will be invaluable as the sport progress’s a business and promotion plan into the new millennium.\"
Mr. Appleton is married with two adult children and will take up his appointment later this month.
Issued by : Wayne Green MNZ Media & Publicity Ph.07-8433043 Mb.025-222-000-7 Email: wayne@wave.co.nz www.motorcyclingnz.co.nz
