New CEO at Coastguard’s Helm

8 March 2012

New CEO at Coastguard’s Helm

Coastguard New Zealand is pleased to welcome Patrick Holmes as the new CEO who will oversee its ongoing commitment to saving lives at sea.

Mr Holmes says the Coastguard position attracted him because of the organisation’s well established brand and large dedicated volunteer workforce.

“The immediacy and tangible nature of Coastguard and the nature of what the organisation contributes to society is what I am most looking forward to getting involved with.”

As he prepares for his new role, Mr Holmes is mindful of the challenges the organisation faces.

“As with any non-governmental organisation, securing reliable and diverse funding sources can be challenging as any organisation that relies on just one source can become vulnerable.”

Mr Holmes is looking forward to broadening Coastguard’s income base and developing strategies around other long-term sustainable funding sources for use alongside the current contributions of the government and the generosity of New Zealanders.

After 17 years in banking and finance, Mr Holmes moved into the not-for-profit sector 18 years ago after making a decision that it was time to start giving back.

“It was quite a change going from working to increase shareholder value to trying to make the world a better place for those less fortunate,” he says.

He has since held roles within charities that directly deliver services to the community including organisations that support causes such as children’s cancer, leukaemia, blindness, deafness and cruelty to children. Most of his experience has been in the UK with roles ranging from Director of Fundraising to Marketing Director and Deputy Chief Executive.

Mr Holmes came to New Zealand six years ago to take up the position of Divisional Manager for the New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, before becoming CEO at Amnesty International Aotearoa four years ago.

Being an organisation he is already familiar with, Mr Holmes says he is excited by the move to Coastguard.

“I had been involved with the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) in the UK so I’m very aware of what Coastguard does and the importance of their services.

“For eight years in the UK I lived quite close to the sea and my son and I once had a near-death experience. The small vessel we were in almost sank which was extremely scary.”

Incumbent CEO Bruce Reid has stepped down after four years in the role and during this time he played an instrumental role in bringing significant positive change and creating a more cohesive vision for Coastguard.

“It’s a huge honour to take on this job and to be a small part of this long-running organisation. I am merely a custodian and Bruce has done a great job and has made the transition as smooth as possible,” says Mr Holmes.

About Coastguard New Zealand
Coastguard is the charity that provides New Zealand’s primary maritime search and rescue service. The organisation operates from a network of four regions and 71 affiliated units, located around the coastline and major lakes of New Zealand. Coastguard New Zealand is a volunteer organisation with a charitable status. It has more than 18,000 supporter members and 2,224 active Professional Volunteers who provide around 350,000 hours of their time each year to educate, protect and help save lives at sea. Coastguard performs over 3,000 rescues each year assisting almost 7,000 New Zealanders. There are currently 72 dedicated rescue vessels in Coastguard New Zealand’s fleet, 10 air patrol units and one dedicated communications unit. All crew members on board Coastguard vessels and air patrol craft are trained search and rescue personnel working to enhance the safety of all New Zealanders when they participate in boating and water activities.

ENDS

© Scoop Media