Charles Finny Named As New Chamber CEO

22 December 2004

Charles Finny Named As New Chamber CEO

“I am delighted to announce that Charles Finny will succeed Phil Lewin as our new Chief Executive early next year” said Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce President Peter Steel today.

“Charles is a true Wellingtonian, and comes to us following a distinguished career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He has represented New Zealand ably on diplomatic postings in Singapore and Beijing. More recently he was Director of the New Zealand Commerce and Industry office in Taipei, in association with our Chamber of Commerce. He has also played a leading role in New Zealand’s major trade negotiations over recent years, including WTO and APEC, and bilaterally with CER issues and Singapore.”

“Most recently Charles has been in charge of launching New Zealand’s free trade negotiations with China.”

Mr Steel continued: “when it comes to SME issues, he can likewise speak with plenty of experience. Charles and his partner Wendy Hinton and family have successfully developed their own export business - Kawarau Estate in Central Otago, which makes a range of premium quality organic wine, focusing particularly on Pinot Noir.”

“As the greater Wellington region goes forward to consolidate our business and economic vitality, the Chamber and its company membership, working with Councils, Central Government and all other stakeholders in Wellington’s prosperity, will have a highly skilled pair of hands at the wheel” said Mr Steel.

”The Wellington Regional Chamber Board is glad to have secured a player of Charles’ calibre to take over this pivotal role. We’ll continue to be focused strongly not only on the best possible services and advocacy for our Wellington members, but also to spearhead the economic policy programme on behalf of all 31 New Zealand Chambers which we have led over the past couple of years” Mr Steel concluded.

Mr Finny (44) is married with two children, and will take up his new role with the Chamber in late February.

ENDS

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