Aileen Lawrie appointed as new TCDC Chief Executive

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

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

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 Chief Executive 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.

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 Chief Executive role until Aileen commences this new role on 1 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 Goudie.