DWC Staff | About DWC | Development West Coast

Development West Coast is supported by a team of professional, experienced and friendly staff.

Staff can give you information and advice on the range and type of services DWC provides, or put you in touch with the right organisation for more specific matters that DWC does not directly deal with.

All matters will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

	HEATH MILNE Chief Executive Officer \| 03 769 7000 Prior to joining DWC in January 2020, Heath was the General Manager of ANZCO Foods UK Ltd, based in London. Heath was born on the West Coast. His career with food giant ANZCO also started here until he relocated to London in 2007 to head up its subsidiary business in the United Kingdom and Europe. While having extensive knowledge and experience in the primary industry, Heath also brings a strong business acumen and proven leadership, coupled with a deep enthusiam and a deep-rooted passion for the West Coast region.

	BELINDA LUNN Executive Manager \| 03 769 7010 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Belinda has been with Development West Coast since May 2002. A significant part of Belinda’s position is managing the governance support and policy functions for the Trust and supporting the CEO. In addition to these roles, Belinda also oversees various IT, administration and marketing functions, and works across the organisation to promote collaboration and consistency in the day to day operations of the Trust.
	ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
	JO BIRNIE Economic Development Manager \| 03 769 7019 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Prior to joining DWC, Jo spent the last 11 years as the owner and Principal Consultant for a Business and HR consultancy working with both SMEs and the public sector. Jo has undertaken project/programme and change management positions across many agencies in the public sector and has worked with a wide range of SMEs, including many businesses on the West Coast as part of the Regional Business Partner Network. Born and educated in the UK, Jo moved to New Zealand in 2002, living between the South Island and Wellington, spending a lot of time on the West Coast.
	FIONA HILL Capability & Growth Manager \| 03 769 7023 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. A former owner of a successful local business, with extensive customer service and administration skills, Fiona is one of DWC's Business Development Managers. Fiona assists businesses that are keen to grow and innovate by connecting them to people, opportunities and resources including access to the support available through the Regional Business Partner Programme.
	IAN JOHNSON Capability and Growth Advisor \| 03 769 7027 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. As a manager, CE, owner-operator and consultant in the tourism, hospitality and leisure and fitness industries, Ian has actively explored every opportunity to exceed the expectations of ‘the customer’. Ian loves the business of doing business, almost as much as he loves the West Coast. As Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton famously observed, “There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.”
	CHRIS FULFORD Capability and Growth Advisor \| 03 769 7020 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Chris has joined us from Dunedin, where he was Group General Manager of 6 companies with a diverse spread from IT, PR, Credit Control to Automotive Engineering. Prior to this was a 5 year stint in Latin America, working with charities & NGOs to improve efficiencies & systems. He has worked with Auckland’s Development Agency ATEED as a Business Advisor & Mentor for two years. Chris has 8 successful companies behind, him, 7 of which were start-ups, predominately in IT & media. Chris brings of a wealth of business knowledge with him & is keen to help businesses that want to grow or get past the hurdles that are holding owners back from success.
	DANIEL REYNOLDS Response Growth Advisor \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Daniel comes to DWC with more than ten years of commercial banking experience and a background of business development and customer service. Daniel is a problem solver who excels at identifying areas of improvement within a business and working towards the perfect solution. Daniel is passionate about the building business capability and sustainability in the region and is focused on achieving this by connecting local businesses to active and capable local professionals.
	HELEN WILSON Research & Innovation Manager \| 03 769 7022 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Helen Wilson leads research and development into industry growth working across projects as and where needed. With eleven years’ experience in a variety of roles within the organisation Helen has built up a good understanding of the Trust Deed and its ability to benefit the region.
	TOURISM
	Jim Little Regional Tourism Manager \| 03 769 7025 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Jim Little joined Tourism West Coast in 2012 and has since migrated the tourism function to Development West Coast. Jim has worked in marketing departments with multinational companies, advertising agencies and Destination Lake Taupo and Tourism Bay of Plenty before coming to the West Coast.
	Samantha Beneke Digital Marketing Officer \| 03 769 7026 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Samantha has 11 years of experience working in the digital media industry for public transport companies, district councils, radio stations and magazine publications. She now manages tourism marketing for the West Coast region. This includes a combination of digital marketing, print marketing, strategy planning and relationship management with local operators and the trade industry.
	Alicia Ulrich Tourism Marketing Assistant \| 03 769 7024 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Alicia organises and hosts familiarisation tours, tourism events and attends trade events to promote the region. She updates the Official Visitor Guide and Trade Manual. Alicia updates the yearly tourism factbook with all facts, stats and figures that will assist tourism businesses. Alicia is involved in relationship management with local operators and the trade industry.
	FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
	STUART BROWN Chief Financial Officer \| 03 769 7015 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Stuart has fond memories of the South, being born in Otago and attending Lincoln University in Christchurch. After working in Matamata for 12 years in Finance, Stuart travelled to the UK and then worked in Canada and USA for 8 years. Stuart relocated to Australia leading the finance for large international ASX listed mining companies. Stuart is very pleased to be returning home after a lengthy period away and brings a commercial focus to the role of CFO for Development West Coast, He will be ensuring that compliance is maintained allowing for an agile approach to business support. He is looking forward to working with the wide range of businesses on the Coast and supporting the finance strategies that will help them thrive.
	DAYLE MCMILLAN Commercial Lending Manager \| 03 769 7021 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Dayle joined the team at Development West Coast in May 2018 and manages DWC's commercial lending function. Dayle has significant finance industry experience in business and management positions and brings with him local knowledge as a born and bred Coaster.
	TONY GIBSON Accountant \| 03 769 7017 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tony joined Development West Coast in June 2018. He has had a wide range of tax and accounting experience in roles with Government Agencies, Chartered Accountancy firms and privately-owned business over many years. Tony is employed as accountant which incorporates finance and management accounting for both DWC and its subsidiaries.
	AMANDA HOPKINS Accounts Assistant \| 03 769 7000 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Amanda joined Development West Coast in January 2018. Amanda has experience in running a successful local business, which has given her the skills for the varied tasks encompassed in the Accounts Assistant position.
	TARA COATES Administration Officer \| 03 769 7011 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tara has been with Development West Coast since September 2010. Tara provides administration support to the wider DWC team and oversees the smooth running of the office. Other tasks include minute secretary, client administration, Advisory Body support and providing a friendly welcome for all visitors to the office.
	AARON REES Marketing & Communication Officer \| 03 769 7012 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Aaron joined the team at Development West Coast in October 2017. He has experience running a successful business overseas, as well as academic training in Development Studies.
	RACHEL DOOLAN Events Co-Ordinator \| 03 769 7000 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Rachel joined the team at Development West Coast in November 2017. Rachel co-ordinates DWC's business events including promotion, registrations and event logisitics as well as co-ordinating training and development programmes. Rachel also performs a variety of adminstration tasks including filing, travel arrangements and website updates.

	HEATH MILNE Chief Executive Officer \| 03 769 7000 Prior to joining DWC in January 2020, Heath was the General Manager of ANZCO Foods UK Ltd, based in London. Heath was born on the West Coast. His career with food giant ANZCO also started here until he relocated to London in 2007 to head up its subsidiary business in the United Kingdom and Europe. While having extensive knowledge and experience in the primary industry, Heath also brings a strong business acumen and proven leadership, coupled with a deep enthusiam and a deep-rooted passion for the West Coast region.

	BELINDA LUNN Executive Manager \| 03 769 7010 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Belinda has been with Development West Coast since May 2002. A significant part of Belinda’s position is managing the governance support and policy functions for the Trust and supporting the CEO. In addition to these roles, Belinda also oversees various IT, administration and marketing functions, and works across the organisation to promote collaboration and consistency in the day to day operations of the Trust.
	ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
	JO BIRNIE Economic Development Manager \| 03 769 7019 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Prior to joining DWC, Jo spent the last 11 years as the owner and Principal Consultant for a Business and HR consultancy working with both SMEs and the public sector. Jo has undertaken project/programme and change management positions across many agencies in the public sector and has worked with a wide range of SMEs, including many businesses on the West Coast as part of the Regional Business Partner Network. Born and educated in the UK, Jo moved to New Zealand in 2002, living between the South Island and Wellington, spending a lot of time on the West Coast.
	FIONA HILL Capability & Growth Manager \| 03 769 7023 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. A former owner of a successful local business, with extensive customer service and administration skills, Fiona is one of DWC's Business Development Managers. Fiona assists businesses that are keen to grow and innovate by connecting them to people, opportunities and resources including access to the support available through the Regional Business Partner Programme.
	IAN JOHNSON Capability and Growth Advisor \| 03 769 7027 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. As a manager, CE, owner-operator and consultant in the tourism, hospitality and leisure and fitness industries, Ian has actively explored every opportunity to exceed the expectations of ‘the customer’. Ian loves the business of doing business, almost as much as he loves the West Coast. As Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton famously observed, “There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.”
	CHRIS FULFORD Capability and Growth Advisor \| 03 769 7020 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Chris has joined us from Dunedin, where he was Group General Manager of 6 companies with a diverse spread from IT, PR, Credit Control to Automotive Engineering. Prior to this was a 5 year stint in Latin America, working with charities & NGOs to improve efficiencies & systems. He has worked with Auckland’s Development Agency ATEED as a Business Advisor & Mentor for two years. Chris has 8 successful companies behind, him, 7 of which were start-ups, predominately in IT & media. Chris brings of a wealth of business knowledge with him & is keen to help businesses that want to grow or get past the hurdles that are holding owners back from success.
	DANIEL REYNOLDS Response Growth Advisor \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Daniel comes to DWC with more than ten years of commercial banking experience and a background of business development and customer service. Daniel is a problem solver who excels at identifying areas of improvement within a business and working towards the perfect solution. Daniel is passionate about the building business capability and sustainability in the region and is focused on achieving this by connecting local businesses to active and capable local professionals.
	HELEN WILSON Research & Innovation Manager \| 03 769 7022 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Helen Wilson leads research and development into industry growth working across projects as and where needed. With eleven years’ experience in a variety of roles within the organisation Helen has built up a good understanding of the Trust Deed and its ability to benefit the region.
	TOURISM
	Jim Little Regional Tourism Manager \| 03 769 7025 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Jim Little joined Tourism West Coast in 2012 and has since migrated the tourism function to Development West Coast. Jim has worked in marketing departments with multinational companies, advertising agencies and Destination Lake Taupo and Tourism Bay of Plenty before coming to the West Coast.
	Samantha Beneke Digital Marketing Officer \| 03 769 7026 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Samantha has 11 years of experience working in the digital media industry for public transport companies, district councils, radio stations and magazine publications. She now manages tourism marketing for the West Coast region. This includes a combination of digital marketing, print marketing, strategy planning and relationship management with local operators and the trade industry.
	Alicia Ulrich Tourism Marketing Assistant \| 03 769 7024 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Alicia organises and hosts familiarisation tours, tourism events and attends trade events to promote the region. She updates the Official Visitor Guide and Trade Manual. Alicia updates the yearly tourism factbook with all facts, stats and figures that will assist tourism businesses. Alicia is involved in relationship management with local operators and the trade industry.
	FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
	STUART BROWN Chief Financial Officer \| 03 769 7015 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Stuart has fond memories of the South, being born in Otago and attending Lincoln University in Christchurch. After working in Matamata for 12 years in Finance, Stuart travelled to the UK and then worked in Canada and USA for 8 years. Stuart relocated to Australia leading the finance for large international ASX listed mining companies. Stuart is very pleased to be returning home after a lengthy period away and brings a commercial focus to the role of CFO for Development West Coast, He will be ensuring that compliance is maintained allowing for an agile approach to business support. He is looking forward to working with the wide range of businesses on the Coast and supporting the finance strategies that will help them thrive.
	DAYLE MCMILLAN Commercial Lending Manager \| 03 769 7021 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Dayle joined the team at Development West Coast in May 2018 and manages DWC's commercial lending function. Dayle has significant finance industry experience in business and management positions and brings with him local knowledge as a born and bred Coaster.
	TONY GIBSON Accountant \| 03 769 7017 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tony joined Development West Coast in June 2018. He has had a wide range of tax and accounting experience in roles with Government Agencies, Chartered Accountancy firms and privately-owned business over many years. Tony is employed as accountant which incorporates finance and management accounting for both DWC and its subsidiaries.
	AMANDA HOPKINS Accounts Assistant \| 03 769 7000 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Amanda joined Development West Coast in January 2018. Amanda has experience in running a successful local business, which has given her the skills for the varied tasks encompassed in the Accounts Assistant position.
	TARA COATES Administration Officer \| 03 769 7011 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tara has been with Development West Coast since September 2010. Tara provides administration support to the wider DWC team and oversees the smooth running of the office. Other tasks include minute secretary, client administration, Advisory Body support and providing a friendly welcome for all visitors to the office.
	AARON REES Marketing & Communication Officer \| 03 769 7012 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Aaron joined the team at Development West Coast in October 2017. He has experience running a successful business overseas, as well as academic training in Development Studies.
	RACHEL DOOLAN Events Co-Ordinator \| 03 769 7000 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Rachel joined the team at Development West Coast in November 2017. Rachel co-ordinates DWC's business events including promotion, registrations and event logisitics as well as co-ordinating training and development programmes. Rachel also performs a variety of adminstration tasks including filing, travel arrangements and website updates.

Staff

HEATH MILNE

BELINDA LUNN

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

JO BIRNIE

FIONA HILL

IAN JOHNSON

CHRIS FULFORD

DANIEL REYNOLDS

HELEN WILSON

TOURISM

Jim Little

Samantha Beneke

Alicia Ulrich

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

STUART BROWN

DAYLE MCMILLAN

TONY GIBSON

AMANDA HOPKINS

TARA COATES

AARON REES

RACHEL DOOLAN

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