About UsLeadership Team

The Sime Darby Motors NZ Senior Leadership Team is made up of the organisation’s operational and functional heads. With a wide range of complementary experience and skills, the team works together to lead the development of both the New Zealand businesses and their employees.

Patrick Mckenna

Managing Director Nz – Director Commercial Vehicles Asia Pacific

Pat joined SDMNZ in 2006 to establish the New Zealand Motor Group Head Office. Immediately prior, Pat spent eight years as Managing Director in the Asia Pacific region for multinational corporate Ingersoll Rand. Pat started his career as a management trainee with the largest General Motors dealer in the central North Island. He has qualifications across the industry, from automotive engineering to management and is experienced handling the strategic mergers and acquisitions that secure future growth of the Group. Pat is married with three adult children and enjoys classic cars and boating.

Steve Riddell

General Manager – Finance

During his 30-year career in finance, Steve has held senior roles in a number of blue-chip multi-nationals operating across Australia’s resources and construction sectors. Most recently Steve was GM Commercial Finance for Hastings Deering, the leading Cat dealership globally, where his broad responsibilities included month-end reporting, budgeting for mergers and acquisitions, and strategic finance projects. Steve is married with four children and is a keen fisherman and snowboarder.

Peter Leathley

Head Of Human Resources – Anz

Peter has over 40 years of business experience across a range of roles in addition to HR, including operations management, sales, and public affairs. Prior to joining SDMNZ in 2006, Peter worked with international corporates including Mobil Oil, Fletcher Challenge and OfficeMax. He has since established a centralised, high performing HR function to deliver on SDMNZ people strategy across New Zealand and Australia. Peter has grown children currently living around the world, holds a private pilot’s licence and plays tennis for exercise.

Sonya Wilkinson

Head Of Marketing

Sonya is a proven leader in corporate marketing with almost 20 years’ experience gained in the UK and New Zealand. Her career has spanned the entertainment industry, mass market retail and fashion, working with well-known brands including Warner Music, Disney, Woolworths Group, The Warehouse Group, and Bendon. Sonya has a keen interest in human motivation and behaviour which drives her focus on continuously improving customer experience. Married with two sons, Sonya enjoys spending time in the great outdoors.

Michael Doeg

General Manager – Commercial Sales

Michael has held a series of leadership roles, predominately in the automotive sector, over the past 30 years. He joined SDMNZ in 2016 and has since led both the Passenger and Commercial sides of the business, embracing a collaborative approach to bring out the best in people. Michael previously played and coached ice hockey up to national level and now enjoys riding his jet-ski and driving his ‘Sunday car’. He is married with four children.

Dave Butler

General Manager – Commercial Aftersales

Dave has more than 20 years’ experience leading New Zealand transport and supply chain operations. An accomplished general manager, Dave thrives on the challenge of guiding teams through complex projects. He joined SDMNZ in 2020 as General Manager of TWL and Transpecs prior to moving into his current role. Guided by his partner, Dave has become an enthusiastic fan of Korean cuisine. He is a passionate Blues supporter who enjoys playing tennis and golf to unwind.

David Sutton

General Manager – Retail Sales

David has spent over 25 years working for world-class brands like Porsche and Audi in the UK and New Zealand. He joined Continental Cars in 2009, and his focus on driving a culture of excellence extended across all SDMNZ retail brands when he moved to his current role in 2022. David is married with two teenage children. He enjoys spending time on the golf course as well as watching his children play a range of sports.

Rebecca Grant

Head Of Strategy & Innovation

Rebecca is a strategist with 25 years’ experience in strategic planning, business improvement, innovation, and mergers and acquisitions. She forged a career in management consulting working in Australia, the US, and Asia before moving into industry, working for Agriquality and Boral. Most recently, she spent ten years in a variety of strategic roles with Fonterra, New Zealand’s largest corporate. Married with a young son, Rebecca enjoys spending time at the gym, gardening, reading, and travelling.

Andrew Brown

Head Of Property

Andrew has over 30 years of experience gained across property markets in New Zealand, United Kingdom, U.S.A and Southeast Asia. His background and expertise include valuation, consultancy, commercial sales, leasing, and development. As Head of Property, Andrew is focused on optimising the property function of leased and owned assets of Sime Darby Motors throughout New Zealand. Married with four children, Andrew enjoys overseas travel, a broad range of outdoors activities, and is a keen supporter of the Crusaders and All Blacks.

Charie Ngauv

Executive Assistant To Pat Mckenna

Charie has been working closely with the SDMNZ senior leadership team for the past six years. With particular focus on supporting Pat McKenna, Charie leverages the experience she’s gained over twenty years of supporting senior leaders at a wide range of organisations including Clear Communications and Skycity Entertainment Group. Charie spends her leisure time enjoying food, family, and travel. She is married and loves spending time with her two young nephews.