GREIG EPPS
Industry Relationship Manager
Motor Trade Association Inc (MTA)
AuSAE Member: 2015
What We Do
MTA is the peak automotive industry body, representing over 3600 business members in vehicle sales, repair, and fueling. Our members include new and used car dealers, general repair, repair specialists, collision repairers, and around 75% of retail fuel sites. MTA’s goal is to provide business advice and services that will enable our members to achieve a “sustainable business advantage”. We provide mediation services for customer complaints, HR advice and templates, and we have 10 Business Advisors in the field visiting members each day. The Industry Relationship team looks after advocacy and monitors industry trends.
Number of Members
3,600+
Staff Size
45.
Years in Association Management
3 years.
How I Got Into Association Management
My past roles had mainly focused on governance and in-house legal advice. Since moving to Wellington in 2009, I was more and more exposed to government activities and I was keen to transition to some form of policy/government relations role. My current role involves a little bit of legal work, a little bit of stakeholder management, and a large part of strategic thinking and planning.
What I Like About My Job
Looking forward – we try to stay on top of trends in a variety of automotive sectors so we can advise members on how to think about adapting to the future.
My Biggest Challenge
Finding ways to help members look up from the task in front of them – as important as it usually is – and looking 3, 4, 5 years down the track (or longer!) for their business and their industry.
What I am most proud of at our Association
That we strive to set the standard for the industry and that we are known and respected for that effort.
Favourite AuSAE Event
One of my first AuSAE events was “Advocacy 101” with Daniel Paul. It was completely on point for my role and I have dipped into the lessons from that session almost daily for the past 2 years or so.
What I Want to Learn from other AuSAE Members
How they engage with their members to learn about the key industry issues (as distinct from the everyday business problems).
How AuSAE Has Helped Me
It’s been great to meet people from a range of different organisations and find that we all face similar issues – learning from different sectors is valuable.
Greig may be reached at greig.epps@mta.org.nz.
For more information about Motor Trade Association, visit www.mta.org.nz.
