ATEED appoints Brett O’Riley Chief Executive
Media release
5 April 2012
ATEED appoints Brett O’Riley Chief Executive
The Board of Directors for Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) today announced the appointment of Brett O’Riley to the position of Chief Executive, effective May 7. Acting Chief Executive, Grant Jenkins will return to his position of General Manager Marketing & Communications at this time.
Mr O’Riley, currently the Deputy Chief Executive, Business Innovation and Investments for the Ministry of Science + Innovation, has also held senior executive positions with a number of private and public sector companies including NZICT Group, Telecom New Zealand and Gen-i.
“Brett joins ATEED with a proven track record in developing clear outcome focused strategies that deliver economic growth outcomes through business success. His business experience and leadership skills are a natural alignment with ATEED’s vision to improve New Zealand’s economic prosperity by leading the successful transformation of Auckland’s economy, says David McConnell, Chair of the ATEED Board.
“As a Board we are confident that Brett’s background working in complex organisations with diverse stakeholder groups will see him lead ATEED to further increase economic growth in business, tourism, and major events for the betterment of Auckland.
“On behalf of the Board I am delighted to have Brett lead ATEED and work with our executive leadership group, to build on our existing programmes including Auckland’s 10 year visitor plan and major events strategy and help deliver other key strategies and programmes for Auckland. Innovation, support for priority sectors and foreign direct investment represent just some of the key work programmes that ATEED will deliver in the coming months and I’m sure Brett will make a positive contribution to this work”, says McConnell.
"We are all grateful to Grant Jenkins for leading the organisation with a steady hand during the past few months. His positive approach kept ATEED on course and we will continue to benefit from Grant’s knowledge and marketing expertise as he returns to his General Manager Marketing and Communications role," McConnell concluded.
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Brett O’Riley Biographical Information
Brett has held senior management positions for over 20 years including Ministry of Science + Innovation, NZICT Group, Ochre Services, Ochre Networks, Gen-i, Telecom New Zealand, Nava Networks, Southern Cross Cable Network and Pacific Gateway Exchanges.
He has undertaken executive level consulting assignments for several industry players, and has company director experience in the public (Australia) and private (Bermuda, UK, NZ, Australia, Hong Kong) sectors.
His business experience covers a vast array of topics including major change projects and developments in the ICT industry, driving a step change in the performance of the New Zealand science and innovation eco-system, direct involvement with major events both in New Zealand and overseas and his involvement in tourism dates back to the mid 1980s when he worked for successive Ministers of Tourism, Hon. Rob Talbot and Rt. Hon. Mike Moore.
Brett has had involvement with ATEED and Auckland Council since the inception of the supercity. He was a member of the Mayor’s Hi-Tech Think Tank Group that provided input into the Auckland Unleashed document, worked with ATEED on the Rutherford Innovation Showcase and other RWC 2011 activities.
His current governance roles include Vice Chairman, Pacific Telecommunications Council, Advisory Council, New Zealand Government Geospatial Executive Group, Director Cavan Group Limited (tourism, telecommunications, infrastructure development consulting company) and he is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Manaiakalani Education Trust based in Pt. England, Tamaki Basin.
Brett lives in Auckland with his wife and two children.
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