High profile directors take over Far North Holdings Ltd

New directors have been appointed to take over the reins of the Far North District Council trading company, Far North Holdings Ltd.


The new board will be headed by internationally renowned maritime business owner and administrator and former America's Cup Team New Zealand co-founder and Chief Executive, Ross Blackman.


Currently residing at Russell, the 57-year-old administrator, business owner and manager has had a long association with the Bay of Islands where he established North Sales (NZ), the Sea Sports Marine Centre and Beneteau Yachts New Zealand before moving to a distinguished administrative career with Team New Zealand.


Ross is joined on the new board by Auckland-based barrister and solicitor and Chairman and Managing Director of Birnie Capital Ltd, Bill Birnie, Northland Regional Councillor and agricultural industry leader Ian Walker and Far North District Councillor and former council Audit and Finance Committee chairman Steve McNally.


This increases the number on the Board of Directors to four (previously three).


The appointments were confirmed by the council yesterday (April 14) and will take effect from tomorrow (April 16). The term of the former board expired on April 14.


The chairman and Mr Birnie have been appointed for three-year-terms, Mr Walker for two years and Cr McNally for one year. This will provide an opportunity for the council to review board membership on an annual basis as the members retire in rotation.


In making the new appointments the council acknowledged the work of the former board over its three-year term.