Media Release
5 April 2007

Council appoints Boards of Directors for CCO and CCTO

Manukau City Council’s appointment of the Boards of Directors is a major step towards Council Controlled Organisation status for Manukau Leisure Services and Manukau Building Consultants.

As a Council Controlled Organisation (Manukau Leisure Services Ltd) and a Council Controlled Trading Organisation (Manukau Building Consultants Ltd), the two organisations will be 100 per cent Council-owned companies, operating under the Companies Act, from 1 July 2007.

Manukau City Council chief executive Leigh Auton says the extremely high calibre of the applicants was encouraging.

“As a result, the Boards for both Manukau Leisure Services Ltd and for Manukau Building Consultants Ltd reflect a high level of relevant industry and commercial experience, local government knowledge and expertise at Board level,” Mr Auton says.

Alan Bickers is appointed as chair of the inaugural Manukau Building Consultants Ltd Board of Directors, with Keith Avery and Adrienne Young Cooper as directors.

The inaugural Board of Directors for Manukau Leisure Services Ltd will be chaired by Stuart Middleton, with George Green, Susan Huria, Richard Beddie, Graeme Osbourne and Debra Sorenson appointed as directors.

“These appointments demonstrate an impressive depth and breadth of expertise for both companies, which will bring a high level of governance to both companies,” Mr Auton says.

“Council has chosen these directors based on their experience at senior management and governance levels. Stuart Middleton, as chairman of Manukau Leisure Services Ltd, has strong connections with Manukau and its communities, and has extensive governance experience.”

Alan Bickers also have extensive governance experience and brings a sound knowledge of the building industry to Manukau Building Consultants Ltd. He has familiarity with Manukau through his role as director of Manukau Water Limited and other assignments he has undertaken for the council

“Both Stuart Middleton and Alan Bickers will be leading boards which will provide a sound mix of governance and relevant strategic business skills and which Council is confident will ensure both companies start out in the best possible position for success,” Mr Auton says.

ENDS

(Details of the appointees attached)

Media Contact:
Sharleen Pihema
Media Liaison
Communications
Phone: (09) 2628900 x 8650
Fax: (09) 2625759
Email: sharleen.pihema@manukau.govt.nz

Board of Directors, Manukau Building Consultants Ltd

Alan Bickers – Chair

Alan Bickers, who has an engineering background, was previously chair of Transit New Zealand, and chief executive of Tauranga City Council. Mr Bickers is currently a director of Manukau Water Limited and of Catalyst Management Services Ltd, which provides management consultancy services to public and private sector clients. Mr Bickers has a sound knowledge of the building industry and of issues relating to the operation of building regulations.

Keith Avery

Keith Avery presently provides management advisory services to the Fletcher subsidiaries in the building products sector, having previously held several general management positions within that company. These included general manager of Placemakers from 1990 to 1997. Mr Avery has also had roles within the Master Builders Federation and Certified Builders Association of NZ.

Adrienne Young Cooper

Adrienne Young Cooper is presently principal of Hill Young Cooper and a director of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority and Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd. She was previously on the board of Auckland Regional Transport Network Ltd (ARTNL) and on the advisory board for the establishment of LATES (Local Authority Trading Enterprises) for Waitakere City Council.

Board of Directors, Manukau Leisure Services Ltd

Stuart Middleton – Chair

Stuart Middleton has a strong knowledge and familiarity with the Manukau community. He is presently Executive Director External Relations and Student Affairs at the Manukau Institute of Technology, and chair of the Manukau Education Trust (COMET). His governance experience includes a number of trusts in Manukau, including the Otara Economic Development Trust and Counties Manukau Sports Trust.

George Green

Previously the managing partner of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, George Green is an experienced director with extensive experience working in a local government context. He is chair of Sleepyhead Manufacturing Ltd and Morrison Low Associates, and director of Auckland Regional Transport Network Ltd and Metrowater.

Richard Beddie

Richard Beddie is a successful businessman in the leisure industry, owning his own gyms and having other business interests serving the sector. He is also the chief executive Officer of Fitness New Zealand, the chair of Sfrito Ltd (Sport Fitness and Recreation Industry Training Organisation) and director for several other leisure industry organisations.

Debra Sorenson

Debra Sorenson is on the board of Pasifika Fashion and Arts Trust Board and Pacific Health Research Committee Fiji. She is a health sector consultant specialising in Pacific Health issues, with strong links to the Manukau and Pacific Islands community. Debra Sorenson was general manager Pacific Health for the Counties Manukau District Health Board and chief advisor Pacific Health for the Ministry of Health.

Susan Huria

Susan Huria is a director for Housing New Zealand Ltd, Community Housing Ltd and Ag Research Ltd, amongst others. She was previously chair of the Audit Committee and of the Remuneration Committee for the Ngai Tahu Development Corporation Ltd and a member of the Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee for Radio New Zealand Ltd. Susan Huria’s background is in marketing and public relations, including eight years as marketing and communications manager for Auckland International Airport Ltd.

Graham Osbourne

Presently on the board of New Zealand Visitor Information Network (Tourism NZ nominee), Graham Osbourne is chief executive officer of Tourism Auckland. His previous directorships include Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand, Tourism Auckland and Rotorua 5 Star Attractions Ltd, amongst others. He has a marketing background with roles as general manager of Rainbow’s End, Kelly Tarltons and then Tourism Holdings (North Island Activities).

Manukau City Council | Te Kaunihera o Manukau
Knowledge & Understanding | Achievement | Accountability
Maatauranga me te moohiotanga | Whaainga ki toona tutukitanga | Whakatau tika

ends

© Scoop Media