Australian Mark Bernhard tipped to be new GM Holden boss

HOLDEN could soon have its first Australian-born boss in almost a quarter of a century — and its sixth boss in six years.

HOLDEN could soon have its first Australian-born boss in almost a quarter of a century — and its sixth boss in six years.

An Australian car company executive, who has been based in China for the past two years, is the frontrunner to become the new boss of Holden and oversee the factory shutdown in 2017 and transition the company to an importer of cars.

News Corp Australia has been told by well-placed sources General Motors has selected four final candidates to replace Gerry Dorizas, who left Holden suddenly at the end of October after a little more than six months in the job.

The most likely candidate is Mark Bernhard, who was formerly a chief financial officer at Holden before he was promoted to vice-president and chief financial officer for Shanghai General Motors in China, the world’s biggest car market.

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Track record ... Shanghai General Motors’ CFO Mark Bernhard began his career at Holden in 1986.

“He’s a finance guy with an incredible knowledge of the Holden business but who also has a strong focus on sales,” a senior General Motors executive told News Corp Australia.

Mr Bernhard, who achieved a MBA at Deakin University, began his career at Holden in 1986, when he worked in various finance roles under the last Australian to run Holden, John Bagshaw, who ran the company from 1987 to 1990.

Since then, Holden has been run by General Motors executives from North America, Britain, Canada, and Germany.

Former boss ... Gerry Dorizas left Holden suddenly last month.

The Greek-born Mr Dorizas, a former Volkswagen executive, was the first Holden boss in the company’s history hired from outside General Motors.

General Motors initially favoured candidates outside the company to inject “fresh talent” into the business, but insiders say this strategy has not worked and it now intends to hire from within.

Holden would not comment on the speculation about Mr Bernhard and said an official announcement about the new Holden boss is not due until later in the year.

The two most senior Australian-born executives at Holden have moved on over the past two years.

From within ... the General Motors strategy to hire external candidates has not worked, say insiders.

John Elsworth, who was the head of sales and marketing, left Holden after 22 years to head Hyundai in Australia in October 2012.

His successor at Holden, Phil Brook, was promoted to a sales and marketing role with General Motors based in North America last month.

Mr Bernhard has risen through the ranks at General Motors after a number of overseas postings.

After working for Holden from 1986 to 1996 he joined General Motors Europe, based in Zurich Switzerland.

Changing times ... the two most senior Australian-born executives at Holden have moved on over the past two years.

In 1998 Mr Bernhard became a finance executive with General Motors’ international operations, based in Detroit, before the role moved to Singapore in 1999.

In July 2002, Mr Bernhard became vice president and CFO of Shanghai General Motors.

In May 2007, Mr Bernhard returned to Australia as CFO and executive director of finance for Holden.

Mr Bernhard received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Accounting from Monash University in 1985 and his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Deakin University in 2002, according to his company biography.

Mr Bernhard was not available for comment as this story was published.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling