MEDIA RELEASE

Date 10th December 2013

Development West Coast Announces Appointment of New CEO

The Chairman of Development West Coast John Sturgeon announced today that Joseph Thomas has been appointed to the role of CEO commencing 10 March 2014.

Joseph Thomas is currently the Christchurch based CEO of New Zealand Institute of Management Southern Incorporated. Previous roles have included working as a Business Consultant for Polson Higgs, CEO of the Chatham Island Enterprise Trust and, prior to tertiary studies, Skipper of a cray fishing vessel based in the Chatham Islands.

Joseph holds a Bachelor of Management Studies from Waikato University, is a Chartered Accountant, an Associate Fellow of The New Zealand Institute of Management, and holds several governance roles including his recent Ministerial appointment as a member of the West Coast District Health Board.

“I am confident that Joseph has the skills, energy and experience we need to ensure that the Trust continues its positive momentum. He has the ability to think strategically along with strong practical knowledge and understanding of how to harness new and existing economic development opportunities in order to generate sustainable economic benefits for the West Coast,” says John Sturgeon, Chair, Development West Coast.

Joseph will be moving to the West Coast, along with his wife Shelley when he commences work in March 2014, and he is looking forward to being part of the West Coast community.

ENDS

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