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.

Please contact our team on 0800 768 0140 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All matters will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

	HEATH MILNE Chief Executive Officer 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 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 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 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 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 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.
	HELEN WILSON Research & Innovation Manager 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 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.
	Alicia Ulrich Tourism Marketing Assistant 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.