Business Hawke’s Bay open to new board members

Business Hawke’s Bay open to new board members

Business Hawke’s Bay, the region’s business-led economic development agency is open for more business leaders prepared to ‘roll their sleeves up’ to join its board, and is calling for interest ahead of its AGM being held on Wednesday 14 October.

“We are an incorporated society and although our governance group is referred to as a ‘board’, we are not a board of directors as in a company sense. Our board members are all voluntary, there is no payment, and they are very much hands-on,” says Stuart McLauchlan, Business Hawke’s Bay chairman.

“We’re looking for more business leaders who can add further strength to our collective skill set and who can step in to make things happen.”

Registrations of interest to Mr McLaughlan are required by Friday 18 September.

Currently there are nine board members who are all continuing on with their service: Stuart McLauchlan, Langley Twigg; Chris Collins, EIT; Robert Darroch, Future Products Group; Chris Bain, Port of Napier appointee; Doug Ducker, Pan Pac Forest Products; Hamish Whyte, Furnware Industries; Ken Sutherland, Unison; Hamish White, NOW; Mike Purchas, sportsground.co.nz.

“BHB operates on a minimal budget and limited resources,” says Mr McLauchlan. “Our board currently undertakes the governance function but also crosses over into the operational space with various subcommittees working with our CEO Susan White on particular projects. Our board is passionate about growing business in Hawke’s Bay.”

The establishment of the Hawke’s Bay Business Hub in Ahuriri, home to 13 business support services who work collaboratively to help local businesses grow, which opened earlier this year, is a prime example. Many of the board members worked exhaustively to drive and complete the project.

Recently various members have also been working on initiatives to encourage Jetstar to choose Hawke’s Bay as one of its regional destinations to add to its national routes.

“Any new board members will be appointed on the basis of merit and best fit. They will also need to be able to commit time and energy to the cause. We’ve estimated that the current time commitment of between 100 and 200 hours per annum is a minimum. Some of us have contributed many more hours than that,” says Mr McLauchlan.

“We welcome interest from all sectors and in particular, we currently have a gap in representation of the agriculture / horticulture sector and the food and beverage processing sector.”

Anyone interested in putting themselves forward should send a covering letter and their CV to Mr McLauchlan at Langley Twigg, Napier by 18 September. BHB’s AGM will take place at 2.30pm on Wednesday 14 October at the Hawke’s Bay Business Hub.

ENDS

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