New Northland Regional Council CEO appointed

Far North Holdings Limited chief executive and Kawakawa resident Malcolm Nicolson has been appointed as the Northland Regional Council’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Nicolson, 54, was chosen from a field of 38 candidates to replace former NRC CEO Ken Paterson, who left the council in July to head the Tauranga City Council.

Mr Nicolson has Bachelor of Commerce and Masters of Business Administration degrees and for the past 12 years has headed Far North Holdings Limited, which was set up by the Far North District Council in 1997 to handle its commercial activities.

He served as FNHL’s Executive Chairman from 1999 to 2008 and was appointed to his current role in June 2008.

Mr Nicolson’s appointment as NRC CEO will see him lead the council’s 140-plus staff from January 23 next year.

Council Operations Director and Deputy CEO Tony Phipps will continue to fill in as Acting CEO until Mr Nicolson assumes his role.

South-African born Mr Nicolson has lived in New Zealand since 1996 and is married with two adult children.

“I am passionate about unlocking the immense reservoir of opportunity that exists in Northland and look forward to being able to continue serving the diverse communities of the region through this new role,” he says.

Regional council Chairman Craig Brown says the council’s role has broadened in recent years to include a more economic focus and Mr Nicolson will bring welcome experience in this area.

Mr Brown says he and his fellow councillors are appreciative of staff efforts in the several months since Mr Paterson’s departure, and in particular Mr Phipps in his role as Acting CEO.