After a 20-year stint, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia CEO Brett Wright has announced he will leave the organisation.
Wright joined Commercial Vehicle Industry Association of Queensland, which went on to become the HVIA, in 1996 and soon after rose to the top job. He will remain in the role until a suitable replacement is found to ensure a smooth transition.
“It is with many great memories, fondness and pride that I announce my leaving HVIA,” Wright said.
“I am determined that I leave HVIA positioned as strong as ever and fully committed to ensuring the handover and transition to the new CEO is as smooth as possible,
“I have been privileged, firstly to have been given the opportunity to work for The Commercial Vehicle Industry Association of Queensland all those years ago and then to continue to lead it over the last twenty years culminating in its transformation into a truly national industry body, HVIA, in 2015.”
During his tenure, the organisation has been instrumental in advocating for the heavy vehicle industry on many major issues and most notably through the transition to Heavy Vehicle National Law under the auspices of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
Wright has represented the industry on numerous peak regulatory committees and working groups on issues ranging from Australian Design Rules, Performance Based Standards, Vehicle Modification to Workforce Development programs and National Training Package development.
“It has been a great journey and one that I will always cherish, together with the many wonderful friendships made,” Wright added.
“I have also been privileged to have worked with many great leaders of industry, all of whom have so wisely led us to our current position of strength and potential. CVIAQ and HVIA’s successes are built on a great community of people who I wish to sincerely thank for all of their time and efforts contributing to the advances in our industry.”
Chairman Peter Langworthy said Wright’s leadership of the organisation through the move to becoming a national body will be the cornerstone of his legacy.
“Brett has steered the organisation through a period of enormous transformation,” Langworthy said.
“When the time came, members were unanimous in determining that the way forward had to be as a national body, and not for a moment did we underestimate the size of the undertaking that would follow. Brett has led that project over the last three years, and put together an extremely capable team to build the capacity of the organisation across the country.
“I know I speak on behalf of all Board Directors, past and present, when I congratulate Brett on his exemplary and unselfish leadership.”
Langworthy said that HVIA will continue to deliver on its vision amidst the search for Wright’s successor.
“We are looking forward to achieving the next stage in that journey. There are a number of key objectives that we have undertaken both in our business plan and in HVIA’s forward strategy.
“HVIA will only be a success if we continue to listen to our valued members, bring the industry together and effectively represent them to government and other oversight bodies The time is right for the industry to collaborate on increasing productivity and ensuring our innovation and manufacturing footprint grows to its full potential,” he added.
Wright says he will take a sabbatical before weighing up new opportunities.