NRDA appoints three new Board members.
Posted on Thursday 20 October 2022
The Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA) is delighted to announce the appointment of three new board members.
Joining the Board from next month, will be Dr Matthew Peacey, Sam Ng and Bridget Giesen, replacing the three directors who retired at last month’s AGM. The new directors will join existing directors Meg Matthews (Chair), Sarah-Jane Weir, Dave Johnston and Hugh Morrison.
NRDA’s mission is to unlock the economic potential of Nelson Tasman to enable our people and places to thrive. They do this by leading inclusive and regenerative economic development, supporting the region's businesses and people to grow, shaping, and amplifying the region's profile to attract people, business, and investment to Nelson Tasman.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr Matthew Peacey, Sam Ng and Bridget Giesen to our Board, and are looking forward to working together to continue to support and guide the great work that NRDA deliver to unlock the economic potential of Nelson Tasman” Matthews says.
At their AGM in September, the NRDA formally thanked and acknowledged retiring directors Al Dunn, Marina Hirst-Tristram and Jeremy Banks for their significant contribution, especially over the turbulent Covid years.
Dr Matthew Peacey’s background and experience is in innovation and entrepreneurship, with a technology focus. He is a Director of Cawthron Institute and the Tasman Rugby Union, along with Founder of FundTap and Trustee of The Guillain Barre Syndrome Support Group NZ Trust. Matthew and his young family live in Nelson City.
Sam Ng has exposure to technology on a global scale. He understands the importance of digital inclusion, digital economy and how emerging technologies like AI will create both opportunities and risks to the way we live and work. Nelson City based, Sam’s relevant experience includes leading digital innovation and digital transformation at the United Nations Development Programme as well as frontier technologies at the UN World Food Programme. He has also started multiple technology ventures, including being the co-founder and former CEO of the global software company Optimal Workshop.
Bridget Giesen has a commercial background and a wide breadth of knowledge and experience across corporate finance, strategy, Māori investment, culture, organisational structure, people and wellbeing and currently works for NZTE as Customer Director Manufacturing Exporters. She previously worked for Auckland Airport and Air NZ. Tasman-based Bridget lives young family on their Hop Garden in Waimea West. She is Director Puketeraki Limited, Taramea Fragrance & Wool Impact, and the Associate Director for Pamu (Landcorp Farming). She was a previous Manawa Nui director programme recipient with Ngai Tahu Holdings.
