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.
	BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UNIT
	FIONA HILL Senior Business Development 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.
	DAVID GRANT Business Development Manager \| 03 769 7020 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. David joined the team at Development West Coast in June 2018. Prior to joining DWC, David worked in a variety of roles at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to assist companies to grow internationally. David is looking forward to working alongside local companies and exploring opportunities to generate new business both locally and in international markets.
	DAVE LYNCH Business Development Manager \| 03 769 7027 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Dave joined the team at Development West Coast in January 2019. He has extensive experience in the corporate and local government sectors with a strong focus on manufacturing, mining and tourism. Dave is focusing businesses that need assistance at start up, restructuring or looking to advance the next step.
	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.
	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 Tourism Marketing Manager \| 03 769 7026 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Samantha has 10 year's experience working in the digital media industry for public transport companies, district councils, radio stations and magazines. She now manages tourism marketing for the West Coast region. This includes a combination of digital marketing, print marketing, communications planning, strategy planning, relationship management with local operators and the trade industry, organising familiarisation tours and tourism events, as well as attending domestic and international trade events to promote the region.
	Alicia Ulrich Tourism Marketing Assistant \| 03 769 7024 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Alicia is our marketing support assistant. She assists with tourism marketing, hosting famils, updating the visitor guide and trade manual listings as well as assists at trade events engaging with buyers and sellers. Alicia updates the yearly tourism factbook with all facts, stats and figures that will assist tourism businesses.
	FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
	BRENT FORD Temporary Chief Financial Officer \| 03 769 7015 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	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.
	BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UNIT
	FIONA HILL Senior Business Development 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.
	DAVID GRANT Business Development Manager \| 03 769 7020 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. David joined the team at Development West Coast in June 2018. Prior to joining DWC, David worked in a variety of roles at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to assist companies to grow internationally. David is looking forward to working alongside local companies and exploring opportunities to generate new business both locally and in international markets.
	DAVE LYNCH Business Development Manager \| 03 769 7027 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Dave joined the team at Development West Coast in January 2019. He has extensive experience in the corporate and local government sectors with a strong focus on manufacturing, mining and tourism. Dave is focusing businesses that need assistance at start up, restructuring or looking to advance the next step.
	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.
	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 Tourism Marketing Manager \| 03 769 7026 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Samantha has 10 year's experience working in the digital media industry for public transport companies, district councils, radio stations and magazines. She now manages tourism marketing for the West Coast region. This includes a combination of digital marketing, print marketing, communications planning, strategy planning, relationship management with local operators and the trade industry, organising familiarisation tours and tourism events, as well as attending domestic and international trade events to promote the region.
	Alicia Ulrich Tourism Marketing Assistant \| 03 769 7024 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Alicia is our marketing support assistant. She assists with tourism marketing, hosting famils, updating the visitor guide and trade manual listings as well as assists at trade events engaging with buyers and sellers. Alicia updates the yearly tourism factbook with all facts, stats and figures that will assist tourism businesses.
	FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
	BRENT FORD Temporary Chief Financial Officer \| 03 769 7015 \| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	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

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UNIT

FIONA HILL

DAVID GRANT

DAVE LYNCH

DAYLE MCMILLAN

HELEN WILSON

TOURISM

Jim Little

Samantha Beneke

Alicia Ulrich

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

BRENT FORD

TONY GIBSON

AMANDA HOPKINS

TARA COATES

AARON REES

RACHEL DOOLAN

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