Nikki Warburton builds board credentials with MA Financial appointment

Former Audi marketing and customer chief, Nikki Warburton, has joined the MA Financial Group board of directors as she builds out her non-executive career.

The appointed to MA Financial Group’s board of directors is effective immediately. In a statement, the ASX-listed financial services firm said Warburton was a strong addition to the board, bringing more than 30 years’ experience in consumer, brand and marketing across a range of industries including automotive, advertising and media.  

Most recently, Warburton was chief customer and marketing officer for Audi Australia, a role which saw her gain 18th spot on the CMO50 list of Australia’s most effective and innovative marketing leaders in 2020. She left the role in mid-2021.

Warburton also previously worked in senior marketing, brand roles with Austar and Astre Automotive, and held a management role with DDB Group Australia.

Credit: NIkki Warburton

Warburton also recently joined the board of car reviews and advice site, CarExpert, as a non-executive director. The appointment follows a reported $5.1 million capital raising round into the three-year-old business in December, including funding from Perth billionaire, Laurence Escalate. CarExpert has plans to IPO in 2024.

In addition to taking up a directorship role, Warburton has made a personal investment in the business. She’s also on the board of GWS Giants.

Warburton said she was delighted to join the MA Financial’s board of directors.

“It is a privilege to be able to support MA Financial as it executes its growth strategy and takes advantage of opportunities in the current economy,” she stated.   

MA Financial group chair, Jeffrey Browne, saw Warburton’s skills assisting the group to achieve its significant growth ambitions.  

 “Nikki brings a wealth of experience and marketing expertise that strengthens the boards capability. She has a strong track record in growing businesses and building brand recognition,” he said. “Nikki’s appointment also illustrates our continued desire to increase the board’s independence and its diversity by both gender, skills and experience. I look forward to working with Nikki this year.”

As to her appointment at CarExpert, recently installed CEO, Damon Rielly, said Warburton’s automotive as well as growth experience were of significant value to the organisation.

“Nikki’s expertise in the automotive industry and insights into what makes OEMs, new car dealerships and new car buyers tick will provide us an even greater understanding in building market leading products,” Rielly said in a statement earlier this month.

“Nikki’s active involvement in the Australian business community will help build CarExpert's reputation as Australia’s leading online new car marketplace’.”

CarExpert brought on former Compare the Market CMO, Christopher Catchpoole, as chief marketing officer in September 2022.

Don’t miss out on the wealth of insight and content provided by CMO A/NZ and sign up to our weekly CMO Digest newsletters and information services here.  

You can also follow CMO on Twitter: @CMOAustralia, take part in the CMO conversation on LinkedIn: CMO ANZ, follow our regular updates via CMO Australia's Linkedin company page