Four new directors are set to join Great South, Southland’s Regional Development Agency, and help lead the region’s recovery and future growth.
Jason Franklin, Jeff Grant, Peter Heenan and Rachel Lindsay have been appointed and will begin their roles as directors at the upcoming AGM for the organisation, being held on Monday 28 September.
Southland District Council Mayor Gary Tong, Chair of the Joint Shareholders Committee (a committee of the Southland Regional Development Agency shareholders) welcomed the new appointments to the Board and said that he and the other shareholders were looking forward to seeing Great South build on the successes of its first year of operations.
“With Great South committed to leading the development of a more connected, contemporary and competitive Southland region, the calibre of these appointments will be instrumental in guiding the organisation to achieve both its long and short-term goals,” he said.
Great South Chair Ian Collier said he was delighted with the appointments that had been made and was looking forward to working with Jason, Jeff, Peter and Rachel along with existing board members Lucy Griffiths and Maria Pera to build on a strong foundation and help drive and support the region’s recovery and future development.
The new appointments have been made as a result Joc O’Donnell resigning in August to concentrate on her own business in response to COVID-19, Dean Addie stepping down as part of the constitution and due to the recruiting process that was already underway to fill the remaining two vacancies on the board.
Mayor Tong said both Joc and Dean had played a significant role in the coordination and implementation of the Southland Regional Development Agency and their input and expertise had been greatly valued
More information on the Great South Board of Directors can be found here