Opposition leader Jenny Shipley today announced three key appointments to her office.

Mr Rob Greenfield has been appointed Chief of Staff. Mr Greenfield has held senior management positions in the private sector, culminating in six years as General Manager, Corporate, at Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand.

"He brings a wealth of private sector experience into the office, and will obviously be a very important link between the National Opposition and private business," Mrs Shipley said.

Mr Greenfield is a lawyer by training. He will start work on 27 March.

Mr Tim Grafton has been appointed Director of Strategy. Mr Grafton has spent six years as a Senior Consultant with Sue Wood and Associates. Prior to this, he was Senior Press Secretary for the Rt Hon Sir William Birch, and spent several years in the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

"This is a new role which recognises the need to integrate policy development with strategic direction. Tim Grafton has a lot of experience developing communications strategies for clients in the private and public sectors."

He will start work on 26 April.

Mr Paul Smith has been appointed Information Technology Manager. He has just returned from the United Kingdom where he worked in the Private Office of the Secretary of State for Health. He is focussing on the application of information technology at a strategic level, database management and systems development. He commenced his duties on 21 February.

Mrs Shipley said she was delighted that people of such high calibre were coming on board the National team.

"They will greatly assist us as we position the National Party to make a major impact on New Zealand politics in the future, as we have in the past," Mrs Shipley said.

ENDS

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