Allura Partners leads CEO search for Alltruck Bodies appointing Andrew Hadjikakou
Allura Partners has successfully led the search that resulted in the appointment of Andrew Hadjikakou as CEO of Alltruck Bodies, a recent investment by private equity firm Gresham Capital Partners. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in Andrew’s impressive career trajectory and represents an exciting new chapter for Alltruck Bodies.
With a proven track record in the automotive and manufacturing sectors, Andrew brings a wealth of experience to his new role. His appointment comes at a pivotal time for Alltruck Bodies, as the company looks to broaden its market presence and capitalise on growth opportunities in the highly competitive Australian truck body manufacturing industry.
A People First Focus
Andrew’s journey to this executive position is a testament to his dedication, adaptability, and people-centric leadership approach. Prior to joining Alltruck Bodies, he spent 16 years at Paccar, the largest automotive manufacturer in Australia, where he played a crucial role in maintaining the company’s position as a market leader for 23 consecutive years. Reflecting on his time at Paccar, he said one of his proudest achievements was being recognised by the Federal Government as Australian Employer of the Year 2018.
When asked about the secret to this success, he emphasised the importance of a holistic approach: “It’s no silver bullet. It’s working with people side by side, showing empathy, humbleness, strong leadership, making people feel valued, sharing a strong vision of the future… having a diverse and inclusive workforce – both in gender and in culture.”
This people-first philosophy has been a cornerstone of Andrew’s leadership style throughout his career. He firmly believes in the power of servant leadership, explaining, “It really means that my needs came last.”
An Exciting Challenge Ahead
Andrew’s ability to foster strong employee engagement while driving operational excellence positions him well for his new role at Alltruck Bodies, presenting an exciting challenge for the seasoned executive.
“It’s an industry I’m familiar with. It’s very much a business-to-business selling environment where customer relationships count for everything. The transport industry is full of hardworking Australian families and responsible corporates, playing a significant role in the ecomony, and we saw the essential service it, and the manufacturing industry, provided during the Covid years” he said.
Outlining his vision for the company, Andrew said, “What I’m really looking forward to is getting involved with the business, getting to know the people, customers and suppliers, developing a growth plan, serving customers very well, acquiring new customers, and also expanding the product range, these are all opportunities that are in front of us now.”
The Lure of Private Equity
The move to a private equity-backed company represents a new frontier for Andrew, who has spent much of his career in publicly listed environments. However, he views the transition with genuine enthusiasm. “I wouldn’t have taken on the role if I didn’t feel some level of connection there. But there’s also a bit of the unknown. I think all the real pillars of the business are there – strong, good founders and committed new owners who are very focussed on employees and customers in an industry that’s growing.”
Always Say ‘Yes’
Andrew’s career journey is testament to the value of continuous learning, adaptability and embracing opportunity. Born to immigrant parents from Cyprus, he completed a civil engineering degree before finding his passion in manufacturing. He later pursued postgraduate studies in business and marketing, demonstrating his commitment to ongoing professional development.
“I think continuous learning, continuous improvement is something that isn’t exclusive to the workplace. You need it in families and in relationships and in lots of other aspects of our living lives,” he reflected.
Throughout his career, he said he has benefited from the guidance of mentors and has also recognised the importance of supporting others in their professional journeys. His advice to young professionals embarking on their careers? “Always say yes. Just say yes and then make it happen.”
Gresham Capital Partners
Gresham Capital Partners is an Australian private equity investor that invests in Australian and New Zealand based companies with enterprise values typically ranging between AU$20m and A$200m. A division of Gresham Partners Limited (Gresham), a leading independent Australian-owned advisory and funds management business, GCP invests across a wide range of transaction types, industries and sectors.
Alltruck Bodies
Alltruck Bodies has provided custom-built truck bodies in Australia for over 30 years. Beginning in a small, leased factory in Dandenong, Victoria, with just four employees, today the company operates from a state-of-the-art facility to offer an expansive range of rigid truck bodies. It supports clients in the maintenance of truck bodies, replacement parts and compliance with state regulations.