News Release

Friday 13 July 2012

Recruiting CEO and entity name on first meeting agenda for Rotorua economic development CCO

ROTORUA 13.07.12: Identifying a trading name and recruiting a CEO were on the agenda of Rotorua’s new economic development CCO (council owned organisation) when directors held their first board meeting this week.

Chairman John Green said the board had selected ‘Grow Rotorua Limited’ as its trading identity, a name that already had some momentum having been used as a working title by Rotorua District Council during development of the CCO concept.

He said ‘Grow Rotorua’ was an apt business name as it succinctly summarised the key aspiration of the board and reflected the job he and his fellow directors had ahead of them.

The alternate te reo Maori name was ‘Whakatipu Rotorua’ and translated as ‘the natural growth of Rotorua.’

Mr Green said Grow Rotorua directors had also kicked off the process for recruiting a chief executive and that position was being advertised immediately.

“We’re looking for a natural leader with sound strategic skills and senior management experience in economic development, investment or marketing.

Mr Green said the CEO would be responsible for identifying and promoting investment opportunities within specified priority sectors and for developing solutions to any barriers that could inhibit investment growth.

“He or she will lead a small team focused on driving the implementation of Rotorua’s Sustainable Economic Growth Strategy. We want someone with a strong track record who can hit the road running and really make things happen for our region.”

At this week’s first Grow Rotorua board meeting, directors also spent time coming up to speed with Rotorua’s current economic situation and discussing expectations of the board under its statement of intent and agreement with the council.

Mr Green said he expected the remaining two appointments to the Grow Rotorua board to be announced by the end of the month following recent consultation with Te Arawa business leaders.

“We’re looking forward to getting our full complement of board members in place, identifying the key roles each of us will take responsibility for, and getting our CEO and staff on board.

Current Grow Rotorua board members are John Green, Warren Parker, Jane Nees, Michael Barnett and Tony Marks.

“We have a challenging role ahead of us and we understand that on our own we can’t expect to produce the economic growth results that Rotorua deserves and has the potential to achieve. We’re certainly going to need the support, cooperation and goodwill of Council, Rotorua business leaders, local authorities, iwi, government agencies and other organisations,” said Mr Green.

Information on the CEO position and candidate application process is available on the Rotorua District Council website rdc.govt.nz (job vacancies section) or from the council’s Customer Centre. Applications close on Monday 30 July.

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