Judy Kirk National Party President

24 April 2003

Steven Joyce appointed National Party GM

National Party President Judy Kirk has today named Steven Joyce as the first General Manager for the revamped party organisation. "Steven brings to the position a proven record of success and achievement which is a vital strength for National as it implements the changes heralded in the strategic review," Mrs Kirk says.

Mr Joyce takes up the position on Tuesday (April 29), for an initial period of about a year.

His focus will be on putting in place the constitutional changes recently accepted at a special Party Conference.

"It's an exciting opportunity and a challenge. National has the most successful brand in New Zealand politics and I look forward to helping in its revitalisation," says Mr Joyce.

National Party Leader Bill English has welcomed the appointment.

"Steven Joyce has a proven track record in business, his organisational skill will be a valued commodity as the National Party goes through its renewal," Mr English says.

Steven Joyce is the former CEO of RadioWorks New Zealand Limited and started his first radio station, New Plymouth's Energy FM, at age 21.

Seventeen years later the same business had grown to consist of 22 local radio stations, four national radio networks and was worth over 100 million dollars on the New Zealand stock exchange.

Since retiring at age 38 he has been working as a Director of two private companies and recently he's become more involved in the National Party.

Mr Joyce was the Chairman of the Campaign Review after last year's election result, and then picked up the Strategic Review following the departure of National Party Director General Allan Johnston. Ends

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