New Chief Executive Officer announced for Thames Coromandel District Council

New CEO appointment to join Council in August

Aileen Lawrie has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for the Thames-Coromandel District Council effective from 1 August 2022.

“We’re very excited and extremely fortunate that Aileen has accepted the position,” says our Mayor Sandra Goudie. “Aileen’s expertise in aquaculture, housing and cycleway developments align perfectly with the work we’re already doing in this space."

“Aileen’s experience and proven track record in delivering real and tangible outcomes on complex and difficult initiatives that have spanned multiple years and multiple organisations – which will help us drive our projects like the development of Te Ariki Tahi/Sugarloaf Wharf and the Kōpū marine precinct to completion,” says Mayor Sandra.

“I am very excited to join the team at TCDC in August. I can see that the council has an ambitious work programme for the coming years and there is already a lot of work underway. I look forward to sharing the lessons from Ōpōtiki around wharf and housing development and Council’s role in building towards the community vision. There is also a lot of work on the horizon making sure the district is in the best place to navigate through all the reform facing local government,” says Ms Lawrie.

“I am looking forward to getting to know the community, Council staff and Elected Members," she says.

Ms Lawrie's Previous Council experience

Ms Lawrie has been the Chief Executive of Ōpōtiki District Council for 12 years. During that time, she has driven many notable projects for the Ōpōtiki community including a multi-million-dollar sewerage upgrade, the development and extension of the Mōtū trails (the seventh Great Ride to be completed under Nga Haerenga in 2012) and the award winning Ōpōtiki Harbour/Aquaculture Development project in partnership with Whakatōhea. 

She is also one of 12 members on the Local Government Steering Group, advising Government on the resource management system reforms, a director of the Bay of Plenty Local Authority Shared Services Ltd, holds a CE seat on the Economic Development Agency for the Eastern Bay of Plenty – Toi EDA, and is a Civil Defence and Emergency Management Controller.

Her previous roles have been in regulatory, planning and management at Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Environment Canterbury, with a particular interest in coastal planning legislation.

Appointment for 5 year term

Ms Lawrie’s appointment to Thames-Coromandel is for a five-year term, three years with an additional two-year right of renewal. She replaces Rob Williams, who resigned as Chief Executive earlier this year after five years in the role.
Rex Capil, our Governance and Strategy Group Manager has been acting Chief Executive In the interim. Rex has since tendered his resignation and Bruce Hinson our Council’s Operations Group Manager will take over the Acting CE role until Aileen starts in August.

“We wish Rex all the best for the future, which includes travel overseas and thank Bruce for agreeing to take on the Acting Chief Executive position during the interim. He has our full confidence,” says Mayor Sandra.

The recruitment process for the Chief Executive Role was managed by an independent executive search and recruitment service and our Council’s Chief Executive Appointment Panel made up of Mayor Sandra, Deputy Mayor Murray McLean and Councillors Robyn Sinclair and John Morrissey.