Executive appointments announced at ATEED

17 December 2012

Executive appointments announced

In a move towards enhancing its ability to support the implementation of the Auckland Economic Development Strategy, ATEED (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development) today announced the appointment of two new general managers.

David Caselli - General Manager Business Attraction and Investment, and Patrick McVeigh - General Manager Economic Growth will join ATEED’s leadership team in the new year. This is part of a new ATEED organisation structure that focuses on implementing the five priorities from the Auckland Plan and Economic Development strategy in partnership with other Council agencies, central government and the private sector:

1. Grow a business friendly and well-functioning city
2. Develop an innovation hub of the Asia-Pacific rim
3. Become internationally connected and export-driven
4. Enhance investment in people to grow skills and a local workforce
5. Develop a creative, vibrant international city.

Chief Executive, Brett O’Riley says these priorities and the Economic Development Strategy’s ambitious growth targets mean ATEED, on behalf of Auckland Council, is gearing up to respond more quickly, focus on high growth opportunities, and drive accountability.

“David and Patrick are incredibly well qualified and experienced, and both have worked with ATEED in the past which means they’ll be able to hit the ground running. They both have been leaders in organisations with a strong partnering ethos which is essential to ATEED and Auckland successfully meeting its objectives”, says Mr O’Riley.

David Caselli takes up his new position on 21 January, and he has a strong background in investment banking and working in offshore markets, most recently in Shanghai where he was CEO of a New Zealand based company. Mr Caselli has worked with ATEED in developing the Foreign Direct Investment strategy and also been involved in developing strategies for the key food and beverage sector, and has also been involved in working with other central and local government entities throughout New Zealand.

Patrick McVeigh, who is relocating to New Zealand from the UK, will commence in his role in February. He has a career of developing economic, employment and innovation strategies and plans for a wide range of clients and designed, managed and delivered a wide range of consultancy assignments for Regional Development Agencies, Local Authorities and Government Departments through out the UK.

Mr McVeigh spearheaded the preparation of London’s Economic Development Strategy and contributed research and evidence to a range strategies and policies across the capital. He has authored action plans and research reports across a broad range of economic development areas including skills, enterprise, innovation and business support.

Martin Fairweather, ATEED General Manager Planning and Performance, will be Acting General Manager Economic Growth until Mr McVeigh starts.

“Securing such highly qualified executives with international experience demonstrates how exciting the economic development strategy’s challenges are, and the unique opportunity that the new Auckland Council has created for building a world leading economic growth agency, that delivers measurable growth for the city. I’m looking forward to working with them to build on ATEED’s successes over the last two years as we move into the next exciting growth phase for the city”, says Mr O’Riley.

ENDS

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