Chris Liddell was the chairman of Xero and was the chief financial official of General Motors.

Former Microsoft executive and internationally recognised Kiwi businessman Christopher Liddell has been named as assistant to Donald Trump when he enters the White House.

The 58-year-old from Matamata has been announced as an assistant and director of strategic initiatives.

In a statement, Trump said Liddell's skills were "exactly what is needed to effect substantial change, including system wide improvement to the performance of the government".

SHANNON STAPLETON/REUTERS Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated at the new US President early Saturday (NZ time), says Liddell's skills are exactly what the USA needs.

"I am delighted that they will be part of my executive team," he said.

READ MORE:

* New Year's honour for former Microsoft and GM executive Christopher Liddell

* Liddell talks venture philanthropy

* Trump dumps officials in unprecedented purge

* Journalists could be barred from Trump's White House

Liddell said it was an honour to take the role "for the President-elect and the country".

Breaking: @realDonaldTrump names former @GM CFO Christopher P. Liddell as Assistant to the President and Director of Strategic Initiatives — David Shepardson (@davidshepardson) January 17, 2017

The former Microsoft chief financial officer lives in New York and was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015 for services to business and philanthropy.

He has also served as CFO at General Motors, WME-IMG and International Paper.

At GM, he was also Vice Chairman, and led the company's multi-billion dollar return to public market - at the time the largest in history.

On TVNZ's Q+A, Liddell said Trump's position once he becomes the president will be more moderate than his campaign.

He told Corin Dann that Trump was a mix of Republican and Democrat and said he believed Trump would come up with policies that both sides would be willing to consider.

In response to a question about Trump's anti-trade position, Liddell said personally, he supported free markets but not "unbridled free markets".

"The days of unbridled free trade and unbridled free markets are over," he said.

Liddell is on the board of the Next Foundation, which champions education and environmental projects.

He was a previous director of the New Zealand Rugby Union and the New Zealand Sports Foundation, co-founder of the New Zealand Institute and director and founding trustee of Knowledge Wave Conferences.

He has a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Auckland and a Master of Philosophy from Oxford University.

To watch Jake Millar's full Unfiltered interview with Chris Liddell, filmed in New York City, click here.