Yachting New Zealand has appointed three new directors to its board after Murray Brown, John Butcher and Jenna Hansen stepped down, their combined service totalling 17 years.
Jason Shoebridge and Catherine Brown join on three-year terms, with Nigel Skeggs filling the remainder of Butcher's seat for the rest of the year. Board chair Greg Knowles confirmed the appointments followed a rigorous process that attracted strong interest from across the sector.
Shoebridge is chief executive of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research. His governance background includes serving as chair of Aktive, deputy chair of Sport New Zealand, and director of NIWA. A chartered accountant with an MBA from the University of Auckland, he is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a member of the Institute of Directors.
Catherine Brown brings more than 20 years of marketing experience across the financial services, health and pharmaceutical sectors in New Zealand and internationally. At Southern Cross she held the role of Acting Head of Marketing and Brand Experience, overseeing marketing and loyalty strategies for around one million customers. Earlier in her career she held senior marketing positions at BNZ and ANZ, and worked across global brands in banking, telecommunications and healthcare from bases in New Zealand and London.
Skeggs has more than two decades of leadership across the maritime, tourism and infrastructure sectors. He recently stood down as chief executive of Nelson Marina Management Limited, having steered the organisation through a period of considerable change that included a $120 million masterplan and a transition to a council-controlled organisation. He has since been elected as a Nelson City councillor. Skeggs also serves as vice president of the New Zealand Marina Industries Association and spent 14 years in Fiji as managing director of Port Denarau Marina.
Knowles acknowledged the contribution of the departing directors, noting that Brown had served nine years on the board, Butcher five, and Hansen three.
"I sincerely thank Murray, John and Jenna for their service to Yachting New Zealand," Knowles said. "These are voluntary roles, and I acknowledge our directors, past and present, for their dedication and commitment of time and energy to the sport of sailing."
Chief executive Steve Armitage said the appointments come as Yachting New Zealand works through several key initiatives, with a review of the membership model and affiliation fee structure already underway.
"The board's skills and experience will provide valuable strategic support and guidance as we continue this work and seek to better deliver for our members," Armitage said.
