Chair
Originally from Auckland, Clare Giffard has lived and worked in Canterbury for almost 20 years and now operates a number of high profile hospitality businesses in the North Canterbury region. Owner of San Dona Lodge in Ohoka, Flat White Café Bar in Pegasus and Urban Revival Café at Silverstream, Clare is also the director and chairperson of San Dona Olives, president of a Pegasus Town International Lions Service Club, a board member at Ohoka School and a well-known supporter of the local business community.
Clare became an ENC Board Trustee in 2018. She applied for the role so she could help to grow business opportunities in North Canterbury, and expand awareness of the fabulous region that she calls home.
Trustee
Marie is the Mayor of Hurunui District. She was elected to the Hurunui District Council in 2010 as councillor for the Amuri Hurunui ward and in 2013 was elected to the role of Deputy Mayor. Marie is currently the Chairperson of the District Licensing committee, along with a range of community boards and committees.
For 25 years Marie was employed by the New Zealand Plunket Society visiting families across the Hurunui and Waimakariri districts before retiring from this role in 2017.
In her role as Mayor, Marie looks forward to striving towards excellence in all that will benefit the Hurunui District.
Trustee
Prior to being elected Mayor of Waimakariri District Council in 2019, Dan had 15 years as a Councillor and therefore has an in-depth knowledge of local issues. With this extensive understanding of our rural and urban communities, Dan believes in creating strong connections between all residents and working within these communities to help create positive change.
In his role as Mayor Dan participates in the Canterbury Mayoral Forum, the Greater Christchurch Partnership, the Regional Land Transport Committee and the Canterbury Passenger Transport Advisory Group.
With the district’s larger investment projects such as the multi-sport stadium and Kaiapoi’s regeneration projects either completed or well under way, Dan believes that the years ahead will require a ‘steady as you go’ approach, managing costs to ensure our district continues to thrive.
In addition to his Council role Dan enjoys working with communities. He was involved with the establishment of the Oxford Art Gallery and the Kaiapoi Art Expo. He is Chair of the Friends of Rangiora Town Hall, Patron of the North Canterbury Musical Society and Deputy Chair of the Waitaha Primary Health Board.
Trustee
Mike is the General Manager and Director of Wedderspoon – the Rangiora-based, world class manufacturing facility dedicated to supplying the number one selling Manuka honey brand in North America. Much of the honey exported by Wedderspoon is sourced from North Canterbury, and it is this work with local apiaries and other businesses that has given Mike a passion to see the area develop for the greater benefit of its population.
After gaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing from Massey University, Mike worked in a variety of industries both in New Zealand and abroad. He has lived in the North Canterbury district for over a decade with his wife and young family.
Trustee
Bob lives in North Loburn with his wife Adeline and their children Isabella, Harry and Jack. His 28 years’ experience spans the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. He is the General Manager – Water of Te Kura Taka Pini Limited (Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu freshwater group) and Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors for Rangi Ruru Girls’ School. Bob also chairs an agribusiness advisory board and is a member of the Institute of Directors. He was an independent commissioner for the Ruby Views and Silverstream subdivision hearings, and chair for the Conway River plan change hearing.
Trustee
James Flanagan is owner/operator of PAK’nSAVE Rangiora and a long-serving member of the North Canterbury business community. James and his wife Catherine took on the then brand-new supermarket in 2015 and are dedicated to employing local staff, stocking local products and supporting local causes. James and Catherine live locally and enjoy the close and supportive North Canterbury community.
James applied for the ENC Trustee role in order to give something back to the North Canterbury business community. He brings a breadth of retail and business knowledge to the table.
Trustee
With over 20 years corporate and commercial law experience, Grant leads the commercial team at Helmore Stewart Lawyers, Rangiora. Grant is admitted to both the New Zealand and South African bar. He is also a Founding Trustee of the Committee for Canterbury and Trustee of the North Canterbury Radio Trust (“Compass FM”). Grant has a wealth of experience tackling complex and diverse corporate and commercial matters ranging from “start-up “companies through to multi-jurisdictional mergers and acquisitions. He enjoys listening to clients’ business objectives and framing strategic goals within the confines of the law.
Grant joined the ENC Board in 2021 and brings a a range of high-level skills, knowledge and local insight to the table.
Trustee
Sarah is a lawyer turned business advisor with extensive experience in civil litigation, dispute resolution, and management consulting. She’s worked globally and recently served as General Manager of Innovation at National Veterinary Care. Sarah has a background in governance within the legal, health and education sectors with an emphasis on charitable trusts and not-for-profit organisations, and currently chairs the board of Swannanoa Preschool Inc.
Sarah has enjoyed leading innovation and change across a diverse range of businesses. Sarah is passionate about supporting local business owners and thrives on bridging the gap between systems and people, believing we all need to work smarter not harder.
Together with her husband Cameron, they own and operate a large dairy and arable farm in Oxford, North Canterbury. On her weekends, she wears her Marriage Celebrant hat and enjoys getting outdoors with her young family and Golden Retriever, Ben.
Trustee
Rebecca is an experienced professional with expertise in farming systems and nutrient management. Throughout her career, Rebecca has sought to bridge the gap between farming and policymaking while inspiring people to reach their highest potential by providing guidance. With over three years of experience running her Farm Environment Consultancy, she has worked closely with farming businesses throughout the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts.
Alongside her consultancy work, Rebecca and her husband have built a property portfolio and a successful building business over the past five years. Now they’ve embarked on a new chapter by returning to Rebecca’s family farming business in Scargill with their young family. They work closely with her family with the day-to-day operations of a sheep and beef, breeding, and finishing farming business.
Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys staying active, spending time in her vegetable garden and has a passion for horse riding.
Advisory Trustee
Jeff is the Chief Executive of Waimakariri District Council.
Jeff has been the General Manager of Finance and Business Support for 14 years and has worked in Local Government and Central Government for over 40 years. He started with the Rangiora Borough Council, prior to Local Government reorganisation in 1989 and has worked in a number of different roles within the organisation throughout his tenure. Jeff is a qualified chartered accountant and member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Advisory Trustee
Hamish is the Hurunui District Council Chief Executive. He brings a strong mix of commercial and local government experience along with an extensive rural and horticultural background.
For six years prior to his appointment with Hurunui District Council Hamish was the Chief Executive Officer of Lakes Environmental Ltd, delivering regulatory services to the Queenstown Lakes District Council and others. Prior to this he held executive business development, processing and technical management positions.
