Pater, with a business background in the IT&T and automotive sectors, will be CEO of A1 Team Australia and a director of A1GP of Nations, Australia Pty Ltd., which will run the Australian leg of the 12 race ‘World Cup of Motorsport’ series.
The former South African, who is now an Australian citizen, will work alongside A1 Team Australia’s Team Principal, 1980 World Formula One Champion, Alan Jones and director Peter Nolan in overseeing the business of A1 Team Australia and the A1 Grand Prix of Nations at Eastern Creek this weekend.
Pater, who moved from South Africa to Australia in 2000 has specialised in startup companies, particularly in Asia Pacific and South Africa.
“A1 Grand Prix is a very new company. In a very short time, it has established a business model covering 25 national franchises, 12 events around the globe, all being overseen by a global office. That would be a massive undertaking in five years, so my challenge is to make the Australian arm profitable and establish a solid strategic local business model,” said Pater.
Under the A1 Grand Prix system, each of the 25 nations involved are responsible for the sponsorship and broadcast rights in their country of origin.
