Wednesday 14 November 2018

New Chief Executive named for regional development agency Venture Taranaki

The Board of Venture Taranaki has appointed Justine Gilliland to become the new Chief Executive of the regional development agency.

Currently in the role of General Manager, Transitional Economy at Venture Taranaki, Justine will move into the Chief Executive position on 1 March 2019.

“Justine’s experience, extensive connections and networks across both the government and business communities, and deep understanding of the strategic challenges that will confront the regional economy are all immensely valuable in the current environment,” said Venture Taranaki Trust Chair Robin Brockie. “The involvement that Justine has, and will continue to have, in the economic transition of our region further underscored her suitability for this role.”

“The high level of interest in the position and the appointment of such a strong candidate is a positive reflection on the standing of Venture Taranaki, and bodes extremely well for the Trust’s leadership and the ongoing relationship with our owners New Plymouth District Council,” Robin said.

“It will also signal that the people and businesses of Taranaki can have absolute confidence in the ability of Venture Taranaki to continue to support the region through the delivery of Tapuae Roa and as the economy moves into a transitional phase over the coming years.”

“I congratulate Justine on the appointment, and on behalf of the Board we look forward to working with and contributing to her leadership of Venture Taranaki from 1 March,” Robin said.

New Plymouth District Mayor Neil Holdom welcomes the announcement.

“Ms Gilliland is a highly accomplished and capable professional who has moved her family back to Taranaki which is absolutely the right place, at the right time, as Taranaki looks to crank the dial in terms of our response to the economic headwinds we are facing. I am sure the business community will get in behind her, as we look to take Taranaki to the next level.”

Justine is looking forward to moving into the role and to the change in lifestyle offered by Taranaki.

“Supporting the development of businesses and communities has been an important factor across much of my professional life, and I am keen to see Taranaki continue to prosper in a sustainable way for the benefit of all in our region,” Justine says.

“I am really looking forward to leading an organisation that supports these goals in real and practical ways, and to building on the momentum that Venture Taranaki has while being able to work more directly with businesses and community stakeholders is also appealing.”

“My husband and I have chosen this region as our home, and the place we want our children to begin their futures in. It’s exciting to be able to play a role in the ongoing development of that future at a strategic level,” says Justine.

Before joining Venture Taranaki, Justine has most recently held the position of Deputy Director-General Sector Partnerships and Programmes at the Ministry for Primary Industries, where she led multi-million dollar investment programmes spanning sustainable growth, Maori partnerships, and regional development, and the establishment of Te Uru Rakau (Forestry New Zealand) and the 1 billion trees programme.

Prior to this, Justine ran MPI’s research and development and other external grants and funds, and ran the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission. She has held numerous other public sector leadership roles across strategy, communications, policy, operations, and innovation investment fields, and has been admitted as barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

Justine grew up in Taranaki, attending Sacred Heart Girls’ College before completing arts and law degrees at the University of Otago. She has recently relocated back to the region with her husband and young family.

About Venture Taranaki Trust

Venture Taranaki Trust is a Council Controlled Organisation owned and principally funded by the New Plymouth District Council. Incorporated as a charitable trust, the team manages economic development, tourism, marketing and events, and works with a range of stakeholders to grow the economic wellbeing of Taranaki.

ENDS

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