The Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) board has appointed Geoff Gwilym as interim CEO.

He replaces Richard Dudley, who retired in December 2022. Mr Gwilym is the CEO of the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) and will act in both roles until the MTAA selects a replacement for Mr Dudley.

MTAA chair Frank Agostino said: “After chief executive officer Richard Dudley’s retirement in December 2022, the MTAA board sought a high-level candidate to guide the association. That search remains ongoing.

“In the meantime, the MTAA board approached Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) CEO Geoff Gwilym and requested he act as CEO in the interim period. This arrangement is in effect indefinitely.

“On behalf of my fellow MTAA directors, and the MTA CEOs across Australia with whom he will work closely, I welcome Mr Gwilym to the role and wish him every success.”

Mr Gwilym has been VACC’s CEO since December 2014 and brings with him a wealth of industry experience.

He began his career at the age of 15 in the UK automotive industry as an apprentice body maker, in 1975. He came to Australia 10 years later and continued to work in the automotive industry, before joining the TAFE system as a teacher.

His first stint at VACC followed, where Mr Gwilym ran the group apprenticeship scheme for three years. After that, he led the learning and development program at the Real Estate Institute of Victoria.

In the 10 years before returning to VACC, Mr Gwilym ran the Transport Logistics Skills Council, and then Auto Skills Australia.

Mr Gwilym has a master’s degree in education and leadership, and has wide-ranging media experience having regularly appeared on TV, radio, trade and mass media.

He is a well-known influencer in the automotive industry, having a weekly column in the Melbourne Herald Sun newspaper and is co-host of The Grille podcast, alongside Greg Rust and Shane Jacobson.