Event management specialist Nick Carter has been appointed general manager of Rally New Zealand.
With a strong interest in motorsport and extensive experience developing and delivering successful events for global brands such as Nike, Ericsson and Mercedes Benz, Carter brings considerable commercial acumen to the organisation which runs one of New Zealand’s iconic motorsport events.
Rally New Zealand’s chairman Peter (‘PJ’) Johnston says he and fellow directors are delighted to welcome Nick Carter to the team behind the longest-running world championship event in the Southern Hemisphere.
“With the date for the next running of Rally New Zealand, a round of the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship, now confirmed as being 21 to 24 June, 2012, this is an ideal time for Nick to join the team,” says Johnston.
“We are very excited to have a professional event director of Nick’s calibre join us. Nick has a major role to play in helping take the management of Rally New Zealand – both as an event and also as a commercial operation – to an even higher level in 2012 and beyond.”
UK-born Carter has over 20 years of experience successfully managing large scale sporting, outdoor and corporate events across Europe and the UK. The projects that Carter has managed include delivering hospitality for 3,000 guests for Ericsson during the Volvo Ocean Race UK stopover, directing the British Video Awards ceremony for four years, and managing the Nike most wanted football tour across seven UK cities.
He has also worked with numerous motor vehicle companies, designing and managing dealer and customer events throughout the UK.
The 45-year-old moved to New Zealand with his New Zealand-born fiancée in 2010 to take a contract project management role with the Eden Park Rugby World Cup hospitality team.
Carter says he’s looking forward to the challenges of the full-time role with Rally New Zealand.
“I have a historical link with rallying, often watching the fantastic Group B Audi Quattros with my father,” Carter says.
“Managing large scale events is my forte. I have a sound understanding of how to deliver a quality experience for fans with hospitality and entertainment options, and how to develop commercial partnerships with sponsors for mutual benefit. Driving revenue and leveraging opportunities for both parties is key.
“I have observed a huge amount of passion for rallying and motorsport in New Zealand, so I'm thrilled to be part of the team at Rally New Zealand. There's already interest in new ideas, and I'm looking forward to creating a more accessible and exciting experience for both the New Zealand public and International visitors. Having the date confirmed for Rally New Zealand to again be a round of the World Rally Championship in 2012 ensures we continue to be a part of this world class series and can continue to invest in grass roots programmes will give Kiwi's the opportunity to compete with the best.''
Carter started his new role this week.
Photo: Rally New Zealand/Kate Gordon
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