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Penske Australia & New Zealand
The Penske brand is proudly represented in Australia and New Zealand through leading on- and off-highway businesses including Penske Australia, Penske New Zealand, and Penske Truck Rental/Leasing.
Penske Australia & New Zealand aims to meet the most demanding standards of quality management and is certified to ISO 9001. Through continuous monitoring and improvement of our performance, systems and procedures, we deliver the highest quality, most reliable products and services. Click here to view our Quality Policy Statement.
We value and are committed to a safe and healthy workplace for all our staff, visitors and guests. Certified to ISO 45001, we continually monitor our locations and systems ensuring occupational health and safety requirements are understood, and all activities are conducted safely. Click here to view our Health and Safety Policy Statement.
Certified to ISO 14001, we maintain high environmental standards and ecologically sound practices, and make an active contribution to ensure staff understand the environmental policy and promote environmental protection within the culture of our company. Click here to view our Environmental Policy Statement.
At Penske, we deliver powerful solutions through people, products, and partnerships to make a difference.
Penske Australia
Penske Australia is a leading supplier of the world’s finest heavy duty trucks, diesel and gas engines, and power systems.
Distributing the Western Star Trucks, MAN Truck & Bus, Dennis Eagle, mtu, Detroit, and Allison Transmission brands, we operate across the most dynamic markets including on-highway and various off-highway industries such as mining, power generation, construction and industrial, rail, marine, oil and gas, agriculture, and defence.
Penske Australia also represents aftermarket products from leading oil, coolant, and filter brands.
In addition to distributing Western Star Trucks, MAN Truck & Bus, and Dennis Eagle, Penske Australia is also the appointed retail dealer of these brands across select locations, providing full retail sales, service and parts functions.
With over 1,200 employees, we are committed to providing the most comprehensive 24/7 aftersales support through a network of strategically located branches and field locations, and more than 100 dealers.
Penske Australia is a 100% subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, a Fortune 500 company, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and forms part of Penske Corporation.
Penske Australia’s Registered Office is located at 72 Formation Street, Wacol, Queensland 4076.
Click here to read our Penske Australia corporate brochure.
Penske New Zealand
Penske New Zealand is the leading importer and distributor of the Western Star Trucks, MAN Truck & Bus, Dennis Eagle, mtu, and Detroit brands.
Representing these innovative and well-respected brands, Penske New Zealand operates across the commercial vehicle market, as well as off-highway markets such as mining, power generation, construction and industrial, rail, marine, agriculture, oil and gas, and defence.
Penske New Zealand also represents aftermarket products from leading oil, coolant, and filter brands.
With 18 fully authorised commercial vehicle dealers, and an additional 21 accredited Detroit dealers, Penske New Zealand boasts a comprehensive network of branches and dealers providing full authorised parts, service and warranty functions.
Penske New Zealand is a 100% subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, a Fortune 500 company, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and forms part of Penske Corporation.
Penske New Zealand’s Registered Office is located at 4 Langley Road, Wiri, Auckland 2104.
Click here to read our Penske New Zealand corporate brochure.
Penske Truck Rental/Leasing
Penske Truck Rental/Leasing offers convenient and professional truck rental and leasing services in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide.
With a focus on customer service excellence and making business easy, Penske Truck Rental/Leasing works one-on-one with customers to find complete and tailored solutions to suit their unique operating requirements.
The brand remains committed to partnering with customers to provide superior service, and high-quality, well-maintained, vehicles.
Penske Truck Leasing forms part of Penske Transportation Solutions which forms part of Penske Corporation.
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Leadership Team
Hamish Christie-Johnston
Hamish Christie-Johnston is the managing director of Penske Australia & New Zealand including its complete portfolio of on- and off-highway services and solutions.
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Tim Hickman
Tim Hickman is the chief financial officer of Penske Australia & New Zealand and oversees all accounting-related activities, procurement, and commercial matters.
Leigh Henderson
Leigh Henderson was appointed chief operating officer on June 1st, 2021 after serving as general manager of western operations at Penske Australia since January 2018.
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Ben Buckland
Ben Buckland is the executive general manager of people and culture of Penske Australia & New Zealand.
Craig Lee
Craig Lee is the executive general manager of on-highway at Penske Australia, responsible for truck and bus sales, OEM relationships, aftersales, and dealer development.
Matthew Smith
Matthew Smith is the executive general manager of off-highway at Penske Australia & New Zealand
Adrian Beach
Adrian Beach is general manager of Penske Truck Rental/Leasing in Australia, which is a subsidiary of Penske Truck Leasing in the USA.
John Delany
John Delany is the general manager of the eastern region at Penske Australia.
Greg Dobe
Greg Dobe was appointed general manager – remanufacturing in October 2018. In March 2020, he was tasked with the additional responsibility of leading the production team.
Shane Fabian
Shane Fabian is the general manager of parts at Penske Australia & New Zealand responsible for the complete parts supply chain of the business.
Roger Gleeson
Roger Gleeson was appointed general manager – defence in October 2018 with over a decade of experience with the organisation.
Justin Kelly
Justin Kelly is the general manager of northern region operations overseeing the Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, and Darwin branch operations.
Andrew Kerridge
Andrew Kerridge is the general manager of IT overseeing all technology and cyber security matters across Penske Australia & New Zealand.
Adam Layton
Adam Layton is the general manager of legal and governance for Penske Australia & New Zealand.
Jun Natsuhara
Jun Natsuhara is the head of strategy, overseeing the development and implementation of strategic plans across the Penske Australia & New Zealand business.
Kimberley Ruddock
Kimberley Ruddock is the general manager of marketing, overseeing all marketing activity across the Penske Australia & New Zealand business.
Lee Shillam
Lee Shillam joined Penske Australia in 2021 as general manager, western & southern operations, leading our branch operations in WA, SA, Victoria, and Tasmania.
Kevin Smith
Kevin joined the organisation in late 2024 as the general manager of Penske New Zealand, responsible for all operations across New Zealand.
Sponsorships
Penske Australia is a proud supporter of the Shell V-Power Racing Team.
Established in 1980, after Supercars icon Dick Johnson’s famous incident with ‘The Rock’ at Bathurst, Dick Johnson Racing has gone on to be the longest operating and most successful motorsport team in Australia.
In 2022, veteran Will Davison will again pilot the No.17 Shell V-Power Ford Mustang GT, with young gun Anton De Pasquale driving the No.11 Shell V-Power Mustang.
For more information on the Shell-V-Power Racing Team, please visit: https://djr.com.au.
MAN Drives Shell V-Power Racing Team
Penske Australia is a proud supporter of Outback Futures.
Outback Futures was born in response to an urgent need for mental and allied health support in rural and remote Queensland.
With a mission to nurture and empower the outback by renewing hope, building resilience, and strengthening community, Outback Futures delivers tangible results that help communities become equipped with the confidence and tools to address mental health and well-being challenges.
For more information on Outback Futures or if you could make a donation, please visit: https://outbackfutures.org.au/donate
Outback Futures – Making a Lifetime of Difference
Credit: Outback Futures
Hamish Christie-Johnston, managing director of Penske Australia & New Zealand
Hamish Christie-Johnston is the managing director of Penske Australia & New Zealand including its complete portfolio of on- and off-highway services and solutions.
Initially joining the organisation in August 2014 as chief sales officer and executive team member, he was responsible for leading the off-highway business segments including the engineering and marketing functions, before being appointed managing director on January 1, 2017.
With broad experience working with global OEMs for most of his career – across the fields of industrial sales and marketing, as well as equipment and asset management within the mining, construction, defence, road transport and power systems industries – Hamish has a strong understanding of the markets in which Penske Australia & New Zealand operates.
Hamish maintains a strategic and customer-focused vision for the business and believes that successful outcomes result when we fully understand and respond quickly to the needs of our customers. He has a successful track record developing teams and implementing improved processes based on this philosophy.
Likening his role to that of a coach – ensuring that his team has the understanding, skills, and execution required to drive successful outcomes – Hamish has deep business planning experience within our markets, as well as strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Hamish holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Melbourne University, an MBA from the University of Canterbury (Christchurch) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Tim Hickman is the chief financial officer of Penske Australia & New Zealand and oversees all accounting-related activities, procurement, and commercial matters. He is also the company secretary for all Australian and New Zealand subsidiaries.
Appointed CFO in August 2022, he brings over 30 years of experience in various on- and off-highway industries and financial roles.
Tim’s key areas of expertise include financial control and governance, statutory and management reporting, staff management and mentoring, financial modelling and analysis, and strategic planning.
Having gained experience in both New Zealand and Australia, he brings broad financial experience as well as an in-depth knowledge of the transportation and mining industries in which Penske extensively operates.
Leading a team of over 40 finance professionals, Tim is passionate about mentoring and believes in a transformation leadership style that empowers individuals.
Prior to joining Penske, Tim was the finance director for Cummins Asia Pacific, having previously held senior finance roles with General Electric, Western Mining, and Regis Resources.
A qualified Chartered Accountant, he holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (BCA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Leigh Henderson was appointed chief operating officer in 2021 after serving as general manager of western operations at Penske Australia since January 2018.
Having initially joined the organisation in 2009, Leigh has held various roles including commercial manager, Perth branch manager, and state manager – Western Australia.
With a background in finance and 15 years of management experience, Leigh has held various senior commercial and operational positions in Perth and London.
Overseeing all Australian operations including our diverse on- and off-highway sectors, he is passionate about managing thriving teams that provide customers with value-driven and timely solutions.
With a transparent approach to leadership, he leads by example demonstrating a strong and cooperative work ethic. Leigh takes pride in developing talent within his team, strengthening business acumen, and is a strong communicator across all aspects of the operational network.
Leigh holds a Bachelor of Commerce (majors in accounting and finance) and is also a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA).
Ben Buckland is the executive general manager of people and culture of Penske Australia & New Zealand.
With over 20 years of experience in various strategic and operational HR roles, and having joined Penske in 2021, Ben was appointed executive general manager of people and culture of Penske Australia & New Zealand in 2022.
Having worked across Australia, the USA, Asia, and PNG, he brings a broad range of specialist and generalist HR experience.
With a focus on strategy, employee engagement, recruitment, organisational development, and coaching, Ben is a seasoned leader with a reputation as a trusted and astute business partner.
Passionate about building workplace cultures that deliver high performing teams and outstanding business outcomes, he strives to create environments that enable optimal productivity while developing skills and knowledge.
Prior to joining Penske, Ben spent over 20 years with ExxonMobil where he held the role of asia pacific recruitment manager most recently.
He holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Monash University along with post-graduate qualifications in human resource management from Swinburne University of Technology.
Craig Lee is the executive general manager of on-highway at Penske Australia tasked with truck and bus retail and fleet sales, managing truck OEM relationships, on-highway aftersales, on-highway sales administration, and dealer development, and the on-highway vehicle processing centre.
Since joining Penske Australia in mid-2015, Craig has held the positions of diversified products manager, off-highway aftersales manager, general manager – eastern operations, and most recently executive general manager – on-highway.
Craig has performed a range of senior leadership roles during his career in the oil and manufacturing sectors.
He has an inclusive, hands-on management style, positively influencing and developing staff to form a cohesive and high functioning team.
Focussed on driving customer service success by engaging with end users, he motivates his staff to deliver sustained, outstanding achievements.
Prior to joining Penske Australia, Craig most recently held domestic and international sales and general manager roles at VIP Packaging and BP.
Craig is a qualified mechanic and holds an MBA through QUT.
Matthew Smith joined Penske Australia in March 2017 and is the executive general manager of off-highway, responsible for overseeing sales, aftersales and engineering services.
Matthew has an extensive background in senior commercial and leadership roles in mining and related fields. With law and commerce qualifications, his career has spanned various legal and managerial positions.
Overseeing more than 60 staff, he is passionate about developing high performing teams which provide innovative, profitable solutions. He also has a proven track record in executing strategies and building mutually beneficial relationships with customers.
Matthew has an honest and inclusive leadership style. He displays strong personal leadership to ensure that customers’ business drivers are understood and that we deliver on our promises. He is also passionate about helping our people develop and grow for the future.
Matthew holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce from Bond University in Queensland.
Matthew comes to Penske Australia having most recently worked in senior management roles at Orica and Westrac.
Adrian Beach is general manager of Penske Truck Rental/Leasing in Australia, which is a subsidiary of Penske Truck Leasing in the USA.
In June 2014, Adrian relocated to Australia to lead the commercial truck rental and leasing business. As general manager, he and his team have opened rental offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Additional locations in strategic markets are also currently underway.
Adrian’s entire professional career has been in vehicle rental and leasing. He commenced with Penske in 2001 as a lease sales representative in Cleveland, Ohio. Since then he’s advanced through roles including branch manager, business development manager, and sales manager for the Great Lakes Area. In that position, he helped coach and develop 30+ sales associates in Michigan, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and New York. Prior to Penske, Adrian worked for GE Capital Fleet Services and Rollins Truck Leasing.
Adrian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.
John Delany is the general manager of the eastern region at Penske Australia.
Initially appointed as general manager – regional operations in June 2017, John now leads Penske Australia’s eastern branch network, off-highway product technical support team, and maintenance contract management team.
Across his career, he has had extensive experience in operational management, original equipment manufacturer business sales, engineering, and maintenance contract development.
Active in the development of new business opportunities whilst building on relationships, John is passionate about customers being heard and consistent delivery of high-value solutions.
A great believer in employee engagement as a key driver of great service, he promotes team development and an overall team approach.
John has previously held various senior operations and marketing roles in his career.
Greg Dobe was appointed general manager – remanufacturing in October 2018. In March 2020, he was tasked with the additional responsibility of leading the production team.
Having commenced with Penske Australia in 1993, he has held a variety of roles including general manager – remanufacturing, national remanufacturing manager, branch manager, aftersales manager, service manager, workshop supervisor, leading hand, and technician.
As general manager, Greg is responsible for all production operations and all large engine and component remanufacturing for various markets including rail, defence, mining, marine, and power generation.
Passionate about making a difference each and every day, he strives for growth and business sustainability, and regularly develops and implements business and process improvements.
Greg leads by example and has a hands-on management style. Overseeing a total of over 120 staff across NSW, QLD and WA, he is an advocate for change and encourages his staff to extend themselves to reach their full potential.
Greg currently holds a heavy commercial vehicle tradesperson certificate, a Diploma of Management, and is undertaking a Master of Business Administration. He has also participated in leadership development and mentoring programs.
Shane Fabian is the general manager of parts and supply chain at Penske Australia, responsible for the complete parts supply chain of the business, including management of the Penske Distribution Centre in Wacol, QLD.
Shane has extensive experience in the parts industry boasting a career spanning almost three decades with roles leading and contributing to parts operations, distribution management, purchasing, customer service, and sales growth.
Shane has an in-depth understanding of the heavy-duty and engine parts markets and is responsible for the sales, purchasing, and wholesale distribution of Western Star Trucks, MAN Truck & Bus, Dennis Eagle, mtu, Detroit, Allison Transmission, and all-makes parts.
Overseeing a team of 70, Shane utilises his collaborative leadership style to develop high-performing teams focused on driving operational excellence. Shane’s partner-centric approach to customer and supplier interactions ensures mutually-beneficial outcomes.
Shane holds a Diploma of Management.
Roger Gleeson was appointed general manager – defence in October 2018 with over a decade of experience with the organisation.
His broad experience with Penske Australia has comprised multiple roles including service manager – Darwin, technical support manager – defence programmes group (DPG), assistant manager – DPG, and national manager – DPG.
Prior to joining Penske in 2008, Roger spent 12 years within the Australian Defence Force, where, in addition to serving on multiple active service overseas deployments, he held various engineering roles supporting, developing, and managing the delivery of ground support services for Australian air assets nationally and overseas.
As general manager – defence, Roger oversees a team of over 20 staff. His leadership style fosters a strong team environment that promotes growth within the team as individuals are exposed to new responsibilities and tasks.
He leads by example, guiding a team that has direct customer interface across the multi-tiered hierarchy of the defence industry.
In providing national contract and project capabilities, Roger is driven by the core objective of developing, delivering, and managing projects that provide value to the defence customer base through the installation and in-service support capability of Penske-supported products.
Roger holds trade and engineering qualifications and a Diploma in Business Management.
Justin Kelly is the general manager of northern region operations overseeing the Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, and Darwin branch operations.
Since joining the organisation in 2015, he has held the role of branch manager – mackay before being promoted to general manager, northern region operations in March 2021.
Passionate about the safety and development of his team of over 100 staff, Justin is a firm believer in continually improving safety outcomes and engaging with his team to work through challenging areas in order to build ability and confidence.
With a focus on ownership and commitment, Justin ensure his staff understand their value to the business and are well informed of the overarching goals and plans to ensure the team operates as a cohesive unit.
Prior to joining Penske, Justin worked with Emeco, Terex Mining, Komatsu, Hasting Deering, and Gough and Gilmour in a range of operational, maintenance, and management roles.
Justin holds a Diploma in Business, HR and Management, and is a trade-qualified diesel technician.
Andrew Kerridge is the general manager of IT overseeing all technology and cyber security matters across Penske Australia & New Zealand.
Since joining the organisation in 2014, he has led a team of security, applications, support, and business system specialists responsible for maintaining critical business systems that are secure and effective.
Andrew has over 30 years of IT experience working with global businesses across various industries including sales and marketing, as well as equipment and asset management organisations within the mining, construction, defence, road transport, and power systems industries, all giving him a solid understanding of the markets and demands in which Penske operates.
Commencing his career in software development for a direct marketing company, Andrew was promoted to the level of IT manager. He then worked as an IT consultant prior to taking on the role of general manager – operations for Transpacific Commercial Vehicles overseeing IT, vehicle production, building maintenance and construction, health and safety, and total quality management. Following this, Andrew held the role of executive director of a not-for-profit organisation for four years, before joining Penske in 2014 as general manager – information technology.
Through the creation of a team with the right people, processes, and disciplines, Andrew is able to lead, inspire, and direct his team of IT professionals effectively. He maintains a strategic and customer-focused vision for the business and believes that successful outcomes result when the needs of customers are fully understood and responded to quickly. He has a successful track record developing teams and implementing improved processes based on this philosophy.
Adam Layton is the general manager of legal and governance for Penske Australia & New Zealand.
After joining the Penske organisation as corporate counsel in 2017, Adam held the role of senior corporate counsel and risk manager before being appointed general manager in 2024. In this capacity Adam oversees all legal, governance, and risk management functions of the business.
With almost 20 years’ experience as a qualified lawyer in both private practice and in-house roles, Adam has worked across the entire spectrum of legal matters with a particular focus on commercial law, construction law, and dispute resolution.
Bringing an interest-based and person-centred approach to internal and external stakeholder engagement, Adam is passionate about understanding what is essential to his stakeholders and using that information to generate deep engagement and create novel solutions to otherwise insurmountable obstacles.
Leading Penske’s highly-skilled in-house legal team, Adam instils a collaborative approach to ensure that his team provides a high standard of services colleagues and customers alike.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Queensland and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDipLegPrac) from Griffith University.
Jun Natsuhara
Jun Natsuhara joined the global Penske organisation in 2013, initially based in Arizona before relocating to Brisbane in 2014.
Currently the head of strategy for Penske Australia & New Zealand, Jun previously held roles as senior manager – special projects and acting general manager – marketing. He is also a board member of Penske’s Japanese automotive business, Nicole Group.
Prior to joining Penske, Jun started his career at Mitsui & Co., Ltd, one of the largest trading and investment houses in Japan and a strategic partner of Penske Corporation globally. Specialising in Mitsui’s automotive and commercial vehicle division, he was based in Japan and Mexico, as well as the USA and Australia.
As head of strategy, Jun is responsible for developing and implementing corporate strategy, business analysis, and merger and acquisition projects. And as a board member of Nicole Group, he also oversees Penske’s premium automotive dealership operations in Japan.
With a focus on ownership, responsibility, and continuous improvement, Jun leads with the aim of being better today than yesterday, and better tomorrow than today, and ensuring all team members understand their unique value and how that aligns with the overall company vision.
Jun holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Keio (Japan) and is a Graduate of the National Automotive Dealers Association Program (USA).
Kimberley Ruddock is the general manager of marketing, overseeing all marketing activity across the Penske Australia & New Zealand business.
She commenced with the organisation in 2009 as national marketing manager prior to the expansion of her role in 2015 with the establishment of a centralised marketing department to service the entirety of Penske’s operations.
With over 20 years of marketing experience, Kimberley works across for the suite of brands in the Penske portfolio responsible for brand strategy and management, corporate communication, digital assets, events, and merchandise.
Keenly passionate about the benefit that the marketing function can deliver back to the overall business, Kimberley cultivates a dynamic environment where individuals are encouraged to be early adopters of marketing technology, be forward-thinking, and to follow their instincts in order to perform at the highest level both personally and as the greater team.
Her strategic and coach-like leadership style results in a collaborative approach where her team of marketing specialists are encouraged to put forth ideas in an open environment. Preferring to have her team join her on the journey, Kimberley’s inclusivity nurtures the strengths of individuals while meeting the company’s objectives and maximising business opportunities.
Prior to joining Penske, Kimberley held the role of corporate marketing manager at NEC where she spent almost a decade overseeing brand management and national sponsorship activation including the Davis Cup, David Boon’s Walk for Hope, Dean Jones’ Walk for a Cure, and the Master of the Amateurs golf tournament.
Kimberley holds a BA in Business from Victoria University and an MBA from Monash University.
Lee Shillam joined Penske Australia in October 2021 as general manager, western & southern operations, leading our branch operations in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania.
With extensive experience within off-highway industries, including mining, energy solutions, and equipment hire, Lee brings his vast senior management and technical expertise to this role.
His background in engineering, coupled with over ten years of management and operational experience, has allowed him to hold both technical and commercial roles in the UK and Australia.
Passionate about developing others, Lee has previously dedicated his time to external mentoring programs. Further to this, he has a strong appreciation of customer service excellence.
With a welcoming and collaborative leadership style, Lee promotes a culture that enables others, which he believes is the marker of a true leader.
Lee holds a Bachelor of Engineering (mechanical), a Master of Science (advanced engineering), and an MBA from Curtin University.
Prior to joining Penske Australia, Lee served as general manager, aftersales at Allight Sykes.
Kevin Smith – General Manager, Penske New Zealand
Kevin joined the organisation in late 2024 as the general manager of Penske New Zealand, responsible for all operations across New Zealand.
A highly experienced business leader with an extensive background in the building materials and the transport industry, he has previously held various executive leadership positions with Fuso, Truckstops, Iveco, and Fruehauf Pacific.
Leading a team of over 100 Penske staff, Kevin focuses on developing people in their careers so that they grow within the organisation and can get a sense of fulfilment from their contribution to the team’s success.
With a collaborative leadership style, Kevin gives each team member the opportunity to contribute to maximising the value of the collective wisdom of the team.
Kevin holds a Bachelor of Business Studies (in accounting and finance) and a postgraduate diploma in business administration.