Gumtree Australia Markets appoints Michael Holmes as independent non-executive director

Board appointment confirmed

Gumtree Australia Markets Limited has appointed Michael Holmes as an independent non-executive director, expanding the board to five members. GoAutoNews Premium, reporting the appointment on 27 October 2026, describes it as adding extensive automotive and marketplace expertise as the company sharpens its focus on motors across Gumtree, CarsGuide and Autotrader. ¹

The appointment is reflected in the company's profile on Investing.com AU, which lists Michael Holmes as an independent non-executive director from 2026, alongside chairman Bruce Rathie, CEO and managing director Tommy Logtenberg, and fellow independent directors Geoffrey Bruce Stalley and John O'Loghlen. ²

Holmes is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, according to GoAutoNews Premium. The company's chair, Bruce Rathie, said the appointment continued the board's commitment to independent directors with the skills to oversee the group's growth strategy. ¹

Holmes's automotive and marketplace background

GoAutoNews Premium describes Holmes as a well-respected executive in the Australian automotive industry with more than 30 years of experience spanning digital marketplaces, technology, media and motoring. He is currently chief executive of Hyve Corporation, whose portfolio includes the video-led car marketplace CarBee. ¹

His previous roles include almost a decade in senior executive positions at Carsales, most recently as executive director, Dealer. GoAutoNews Premium also reports he has led motor trade businesses at Allianz and QBE Insurance and served as national sales director at Fairfax's Drive.com.au. ¹

Executive response

Holmes said he was delighted to join the board, noting that Gumtree, CarsGuide and Autotrader together reach car buyers at every stage of their journey, from first research through to final purchase, along with the dealers and private sellers who serve them. He said he looked forward to working with Tommy, Bruce and the board to build on that position. ¹

Group CEO Tommy Logtenberg told GoAutoNews Premium that the appointment brought deep automotive expertise to the board at exactly the right time, saying Holmes knows the Australian car market and its people as well as anyone and that few understand better how dealers and car buyers find each other. Logtenberg said Holmes's experience across marketplaces, dealers and digital innovation would be invaluable as the group grows motors across its three brands and delivers more for dealer partners. ¹

Company context

Gumtree Australia Markets Limited, which trades on the ASX under the ticker GUM, operates Gumtree, an Australian online horizontal classifieds marketplace; CarsGuide, an automotive editorial platform for reviews, news and research tools; and Autotrader, a dedicated automotive marketplace connecting car dealers with shoppers. According to its company profile on Investing.com AU, it also provides digital investor relations and consulting, advertising and retail leasing services. ²

The Investing.com AU profile records that the company was incorporated in 2016, is based in Sydney, and was formerly known as The Market Limited before changing its name to Gumtree Australia Markets Limited in January 2025. ²

Motors sits within a broader classifieds and marketplace portfolio: GoAutoNews Premium's report frames the appointment specifically around the group's automotive-facing brands, while the company profile lists Gumtree's horizontal classifieds business alongside its dedicated automotive marketplaces. ¹²