Rebecca Frizelle’s next move after stepping down as COO of Frizelle Automotive Prestige
Rebecca Frizelle is exiting her role at Frizelle Automotive - now she’s opened up to the Bulletin about what she plans to do next.
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Today is the first day of Rebecca Frizelle’s new life.
After 31 years as a driving force behind James Frizelle’s Automotive Group, Frizelle is stepping out from behind the wheel to head down a new road.
While she’s exiting her role as chief operating officer of Frizelle Sunshine Automotive Prestige, she will continue in a non-executive position working with the board … but it means a total U-turn in the life of the Frizelle family.
And already it’s an emotional journey, especially for husband and Frizelle Sunshine CEO Brett.
“For three decades, literally since we met, Brett and I have been working together,” says Frizelle.
“For 31 years we’ve sat in meetings together three or four times a day, we call each other 10 times a day … and now, come Monday, we suddenly won’t see each other like that anymore.
“I’m getting teary just talking about it.
“You know, of course sometimes we argue like cat and dog, like all good partnerships do from time to time, but this change is going to be hard to get used to.
“I have been so fortunate in my life to have found the perfect partner, both personally and professionally, in my husband.
“We’re both so excited about what our new life will bring, but also sad as well.”
Of course, while Frizelle may not be in the office from nine-to-five (or more accurately five-to-nine) in person, the business will still be on her mind.
As part of her new strategic role as a non-executive director, she’ll be focusing on growth and expansion opportunities for the automotive group, as well as the potential to further diversify their footprint.
The change comes as Peter Warren Automotive, the group formed in 2017 as a result of the merger of nine Peter Warren dealerships in Sydney/Queensland and 11 sites of James Frizelle’s Automotive Group, considers the next stage of its growth, including the option to become Australia’s third public automotive company.
“We have a great relationship with Paul Warren and we’re really looking forward to building on that even futher,’’ she said.
The float would be valued at up to $1 billion, with a roadshow under way to outline the proposal to investors with a view to list the company around the middle of this year.
Frizelle says PWA shareholders are considering additional sources of capital for growth, but that “no formal decision has been made regarding any potential IPO”.
But IPO or not, Frizelle’s schedule for 2021 is already filling up.
From positions on the boards of Sunland Development, Life Flight Australia, Paralympics Australia, Griffith University — and the small matter of co-owning the Gold Coast Titans National Rugby League team — it’s a wonder she ever had time for her day job.
But that’s part of the reason she’s taking a step back.
“Frizelle’s is my family … I mean, it actually is my family, but the greater team — our people — they are my heart.
“My father-in-law James Frizelle has been an incredible mentor. He created a culture and built a business around people — he taught invaluable lessons to Brett and I. He is a true gentleman.
“No matter what position I’m in, I could never not be passionate about the business.
“This new life — this changed life — is about getting to choose how I spend my time.
“I used to look at my calendar and I would literally need to book a bathroom break, it was so full. The problem is that when you’re going at full-speed you never get the chance to reflect, you’re making decisions on the go and life is directing you, you’re not directing your life.
“This is about giving myself the luxury of more time. I don’t think when I’m on my deathbed I’ll be regretting that I didn’t make it to more meetings. What I think I will reflect on is the people that I have been fortunate enough to have relationships with along the way.
“I’m excited to learn new things — Brett bought me flying lessons years ago but I never had time to do it. Now it’s the perfect time — especially since the skies are so empty… safer for all,” she laughs.
Meanwhile, Frizelle says she can’t wait to watch her own home team continue to fly high.
After a stellar finish to last season, she says the sky is the limit for the Titans.
“It’s a really exciting time for the Titans. Look at how we finished 2020 — and now we’re just building further on that success.
“We’ve had a cracking lift in our membership too. Our merchandise sales, our sponsorships, all have shown such strong growth.
“It’s great to dig even deeper into our support for the team.”
While Frizelle’s decision to resign from her day job might seem sudden, she says it was actually deferred due to COVID.
She says she planned to exit before June 30, 2020, but a pandemic put paid to that plan.
Now, however, she says she is thankful for that priceless delay.
“COVID has just taught us all so many lessons,” she says.
“The first few months for the business were really scary, it was no time to leave. But then we realised that while the world shut down, it was a great opportunity to step back and reimagine our business in ways we had never considered. It gave us time to review how we do things and to make it more efficient.
“Now business has rebounded — it’s been accelerated both by the significant internal changes we made and also the external economic factors.
“That was the silver lining of the pandemic cloud, it really gave us perspective — and that’s what I’m seeking in this next step as well.”
In fact, COVID was not the first time Frizelle’s resignation plans have been cancelled.
Her first attempted exit was just a few years after her entry … but Brett proved the perfect roadblock.
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“I never meant to work in this industry, actually. It was January 1990, I’d finished school and I wanted to study law but I needed a job to fund my education.
“I saw an ad in the paper for a job as receptionist at Southport Mazda and that was it. That’s the thing about the motor industry, it just gets in your blood.
“Brett started about two weeks after me and we became best friends, but we never dated. Not until the day two years later when I told him about my decision to resign to go backpacking around Europe and he asked me out.
“I retracted my resignation, we started going out and we fell in love.”
And while Brett is letting Bec leave this time, it’s not without a final tug at her heartstrings.
In an email to all staff, Brett praised his partner in life and business:
“As a colleague I have nothing but the utmost respect for her, and as her husband I have immense pride,” Brett wrote.
“Bec has, from the very beginning, taken the lead on shaping our culture consciously but also unconsciously through her actions, through her leadership and through her unwavering commitment to our community.
“Bec has been instrumental in not only future-proofing our business but, importantly, future-proofing our people. She is a respected change-maker in automotive, having driven cultural shifts within the industry that will continue well into the future.
“Whilst for the most part I am actually really excited by the prospect of a home-cooked meal or two, it is not in Bec’s nature, nor her intention, to simply walk away.
“Bec, as we all know, is fiercely ambitious in her support of the growth of our business and above all the growth of our people … and this will remain steadfast.”
And while Frizelle may rightly wonder how she and Brett will feel come Monday morning, she’s pretty sure she’ll be OK.
She’ll be relaxing in Byron Bay with friends, celebrating the close of one chapter and the start of a new one.
“This is going to be a really big year both for the business and ourselves personally. I’m turning 50, it’s our 25th wedding anniversary and our daughter’s 21st.
“It’s so exciting that I’ll actually have time to savour it all.
“I just hope Brett doesn’t really expect those home-cooked meals – I’m not sure where our kitchen is.”
LAST WEEK:
Rebecca Frizelle, titan of the automotive industry and a driving force behind one of the Gold Coast’s most successful businesses, is exiting her role.
On Friday, Frizelle will step down as chief operating officer of Frizelle Automotive Prestige, changing lanes to work in a non-executive position with the board of Peter Warren Automotive, the parent company of Frizelle Sunshine - one of the biggest private dealerships in the country.
While her decision is fuelled by the desire to spend more time with family and in her other roles - including as co-owner of the Gold Coast Titans NRL team and positions on the boards of Sunland Development, Life Flight Australia, Paralympics Australia and Griffith University - it also comes as the automotive group gears up for further growth.
EXCLUSIVE PODCAST: REBECCA FRIZELLE SPEAKS ABOUT HER LIFE
Frizelle Sunshine, as part of Peter Warren Automotive, is considering a public float that is expected to be valued up to $1 billion, making it Australia’s third listed car group.
PWA is the merger made in 2017 of nine Peter Warren dealerships in Sydney and Queensland and 11 sites of James Frizelle’s Automotive Group in Queensland together under the umbrella of equity capital investor Quadrant Private Equity.
A roadshow is under way for investors to outline the proposal, with a view to listing the company around the middle of this year.
Frizelle said PWA shareholders, including herself, were considering additional sources of capital for growth, but that “no formal decision has been made regarding any potential IPO”.
Meanwhile, she said the change in her operational role would allow her to concentrate more on the future of the business.
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She said she was looking forward to the growth and expansion opportunities and the potential to further diversify their automotive footprint.
“It’s going to be a big change, but I’ll still be very committed to the ongoing success of the business. I’ll just be operating in a different capacity - I’ll be focusing on the longer term, big picture rather than the day-to-day operations,” said Frizelle.
“We have a wonderful business with highly experienced, very capable people and we enjoy a strong partnership with our chairman, Paul Warren.
“The change in my role will give me an opportunity to explore new options not just for the company but myself as well.
“I’m looking forward to less time in the office and more time with family and friends - and finding a new work/life balance.”
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