ENC Board Welcomes Two New Trustees and Farewells Another

General Manager and Director of Patoa Farms, Holly joined ENC as a Board Trustee in 2018 with a view to helping support small businesses, people and community development in the North Canterbury region.

With the recent arrival of her first child, Holly has chosen to step back from the position in order to spend time with her family but says her time on the Board has been very rewarding.

“I’ve really loved my time on the Board. I really enjoyed being around the table with so many talented people who have a wealth of business experience and life experience and who genuinely care for North Canterbury. I joined because I wanted to add value to businesses in the direct community, and as a team of volunteers, you just know that everyone is there on the Board because they want to add value too. I’ve learnt a lot about board process and see the value in strategic thinking, robust discussion and clear decision making around a board table. This is only possible with diversity of thought and the willingness to engage between trustees.”

With Holly’s departure and an existing vacant space, two new Trustees have recently been appointed to the Board.

Sarah Henderson of Swannanoa and Rebecca Hyde of Scargill both joined the Board in February. Sarah has a background in law and business advisory. She now owns a dairy farm with her husband, Cameron, in Oxford, is a local marriage celebrant, and Chairs the Board of Swannanoa Preschool, whilst also raising two young children. She was motivated to apply for the Trustee role in order to apply her many skills to a position that would allow her to contribute to the local North Canterbury community.

“There is a lot of change going on in North Canterbury,” says Sarah. “We’ve been through a lot lately, and seen some really hard times for families and many unique challenges for businesses. We’re now in a position to navigate a new path – whether that’s attracting new talent, new businesses or visitors to our region – and I’m excited to be able to play an influential role in carving out a positive future for North Canterbury through my position on the ENC Board.”

Rebecca also brings vast agricultural and business knowledge to the Board as Director of TFD Consultancy – an environmental farm consultancy business that she started – and a full-time sheep and beef farmer alongside her husband and father.

“I am a big believer in giving back to your community, and enabling people to grow,” says Rebecca, who grew up in the Hurunui District. “I see the Trustee position as a way that I can contribute to business development in both the Waimakariri and the Hurunui District, and help to enable people and their businesses to grow.”

As a mother and stepmother, Rebecca is also focused on future generations. “I want to do my bit to leave a good footprint for the next generation. I believe ENC plays a role in this by ensuring our districts continue to thrive.”

ENC Chief Executive Heather Warwick says the addition of Sarah and Rebecca add immensely to the diversity in knowledge, experience and skills across the ENC Board.

“We are so lucky to have such a wide range of passionate, dedicated and knowledgeable business people making up the ENC Board,” says Heather. “The appointment of Sarah and Rebecca only adds to this, as they bring unique skill sets and their own business journeys to the table, along with a shared dedication for supporting other local businesses.”

Acknowledging Holly’s departure Heather says, “Holly’s long-term contribution to the ENC Board has been immense. We have been so fortunate to have her on the team for so many years, and she has brought so much to the role, serving as both a Trustee and Chair for a time. Her enthusiasm, dedication and knowledge – particularly of the agricultural industry in North Canterbury – will be greatly missed. We wish her all the very best as she embarks on her new journey with her young family.”

Both Sarah and Rebecca were approved as ENC Trustees by both the Waimakariri and Hurunui District Councils in early 2024, and attended their first ENC Board meeting in February.

Enterprise North Canterbury is the economic development agency for North Canterbury. The organization is funded by the Waimakariri and Hurunui District Councils and overseen by the ENC Board, which comprises the mayors of Hurunui and Waimakariri Districts, the CEOs of both councils and a number of Council-appointed Trustees who are all local business operators. With the exception of the mayors and CEOs, Trustees can serve on the Board for a maximum of three, three-year terms.