Regional Council appoints new Chief Executive

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has appointed Mary-Anne Macleod as its new Chief Executive effective from Monday 8 August 2011.

Ms Macleod is currently acting Chief Executive for the Council and previously held the position of Group Manager Strategic Development.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chairman John Cronin said that Council had been through a robust and process that involved all elected members to select the new Chief Executive.

"We believe Mary-Anne will guide Council on the right path and continue to build our expertise and delivery in regional leadership and economic development as well as ensuring we have healthy relationships with our local and Central Government stakeholders," Chairman Cronin said.

"Council is delighted to have Mary-Anne take up this role and we believe she is the right person to continue our organisation's focus on efficiency and effectiveness as well as on our key natural icons including Tauranga Harbour, Rotorua Lakes and Ōhiwa Harbour.

"In addition to already knowing a lot about our Council and the Bay of Plenty, Mary-Anne brings a wealth of experience to this position through her roles with international companies and the Ministry for the Environment."

Ms Macleod was significant experience in the environmental and policy fields having held a General Manager's role at the Ministry for the Environment as well as holding a Master of Science. She has also worked in the United Kingdom with Mobil Oil, the Department of the Environment and Acer Environmental.

Before heading overseas in the early 1990s, Ms Macleod worked in Wellington several Central Government departments.

Ms Macleod said she was really looking forward to taking up the permanent Chief Executive role with Council and the opportunity to work at this level with Councillors and the staff.

"Our Council is in a very good place and I'm eager to deliver the strategic direction as we continue to work on restoring our natural icons including our harbours, lakes and waterways as well as ensuring we are delivering effective and efficient outcomes to our community," Ms Macleod said.

"My background of working in various levels of government both in New Zealand and internationally, as well as my commercial experience, and the relationships I have built will ensure that Council continues to strengthen the great work that has already been done and the challenges we are facing in the future.

"My work will continue to focus on building relationships, working with our partners in a collaborative and pro-active way and to engage with all sectors of our community."

Ms Macleod is married to Steve and they have two sons.

Chairman John Cronin said Ms Macleod would have a strong presence in all Council's offices across the region, and would maintain a CE office in both Whakatāne and Tauranga.