Introducing the Team

Hans Neilson

CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Hans brings a wealth of experience in economic development, project management, and cross sector collaboration and has worked with and for local government, business, and non-profit organisations... READ MORE.

Kathryn Stewart

GROWTH ADVISOR
Kathryn brings her diverse background and a passion for helping businesses grow to her role as Marlborough’s Regional Business Advisor. She has worked both in the private and public sectors across aviation, news media and digital......READ MORE.

Chris Shaw

VOCATIONAL COORDINATOR

Chris’s role of Vocational Coordinator combines a passion for education developed during his time as an instructor at Outward Bound and establishing youth programs with a more recent history of business enterprises...... READ MORE.

Annabelle Wiley

OFFICE OPERATIONS MANAGER

Annabelle recently moved back to Marlborough this year, after spending almost a decade working overseas in Europe. She has been solely based in the Super Yacht industry, working on the logistical side..... READ MORE.

Nita Craig

PRESIDENT
A creative and strategic thinker – coupled with firm commercial background – Nita van Grinsven started her career with PwC in Internal Auditing in South Africa before moving to Financial Auditing in Auckland.... READ MORE.

Pete Coldwell

2ND VICE PRESIDENT
Pete arrived with his young family to Marlborough in 2007. They chose to live here, believing that the region is a world beater as a place to raise a family.
Over those years he has seen a lot of.... READ MORE.

Tracey Green

2ND VICE PRESIDENT
I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge.  After 15 years in senior roles in some of Australasia’s top tourism businesses such as...  READ MORE.

Nicky Simpson

BOARD MEMBER
Nicky has lived in Marlborough for all but 2 years of her life and takes an active interest in the local community. She currently holds the role of Manager.... READ MORE.

Jayden Duthie

BOARD MEMBER
Jayden is Taranaki born and bred and returned to the region after University to work as an Auditor for a professional services firm...READ MORE.

Natalie Christensen

BOARD MEMBER
Natalie grew up in Moncks Bay, Christchurch and moved to Marlborough in 2006 to join the wine industry. Now calling Marlborough home, she is the Senior Winemaker at Yealands Estate.... READ MORE.

Andy Rowe

BOARD MEMBER
Andy came to Marlborough in 1975 to join the RNZAF and other than a 3 year stint at Ohakea air base has spent most of his working life in the region. An aircraft engineer...  READ MORE.

Mark Elkington

BOARD MEMBER

Raised in Christchurch, Mark came to Marlborough in 2001 with wife Andrea after several years living and travelling overseas.

Originally planning to help out in the family business at...  READ MORE.

Hon. Heather Roy

BOARD MEMBER
Heather Roy is a professional director and is currently Chair of the Advertising Standards Authority, Chair of Utilities Disputes Ltd and Chair of the Electricity Authority Security and Reliability Council. She is also the principal and director of Marlborough based...  READ MORE.