New chief executive appointed to peak NT body

It took one peak Territory organisation more than a year to find a new chief executive. Find out what the hold up was.

The long search for a new boss for the Automobile Association NT, the Territory’s largest member-based organisation, is finally over.

Experienced leader Simon Matthias has been appointed chief executive of the motoring organisation, 15 months after the search began to find a replacement for previous incumbent Anthony Hill.

It is understood the long delay finding a suitable replacement reflects Australia-wide challenges facing employers trying to recruit workers.

Simon Matthias is AANT’s new chief executive.

Mr Matthias’ professional profile includes four years as general manager of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and a decade with the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia.

His most recent role was five years operating Charles Darwin University’s external engagement program.

During his first week in the job, Mr Matthias said despite coming from a non-motoring background, he was well aware of AANT’s role in the Territory community.

“I know AANT is an iconic NT brand and I’ve spent enough time here to know the brand does play a pretty special role in the Territory community.,” Mr Mitthias said.

“My vision is for AANT to be an organisation the entire Territory community can turn too.

“We’re a trusted NT brand, people trust us to do roadside assistance and that’s significant.

“The NT is one place where you should never not have roadside assistance.”

Through sponsorship and increased community engagement, he wants to integrate AANT more closely with the Territory.

Former Waratah president Simon Matthias with star cricketer Udara Weerasinghe

“We can certainly be a lot more active in our messaging,” he said.

“We’re a trusted brand but perhaps haven’t been as active as we could giving the brand a little more personlity, giving it a profile and becoming more active in the local community.

“The Territory community’s got a great mix of cultural and sporting events and I want us to be involved in those areas.

“We’re not just a motoring organisation, we play a part in the lives of Territorians in a number of different ways.

“If you’re a AANT member you can qualify for 4 per cent discounts at Woolworths supermarkets, 5 per cent of BWS purchases and six cents off United fuel.”

AANT president Trevor Cox welcomed Mr Matthias’ appointment and said his experience would benefit in his new role.

“We welcome Simon Matthias as the new executive leader of the organisation,” Mr Cox said. “His exceptional leadership skills, strategic insights and extensive marketing experience

make him the ideal choice to lead AANT.”

Established in 1963, AANT has more than 20,000 members.