Our Team

We’re a group of professionals with significant services experience and expertise across a wide range of sectors throughout regional New Zealand.

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AS THE SAYING GOES, PEOPLE ARE OUR GREATEST ASSET - MEET OUR TEAM

JENNI GIBLIN

Jenni brings vast local and central government experience with a healthy dose of vitality to all projects. 

Jenni has worked on a wide range of projects since forming Giblin Group in 2008. Highlights include the Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth, the Sarjeant Gallery redevelopment in Whanganui and a three year Creative New Zealand fundraising capability building programme.  Currently, she is working on the New Zealand Memorial Museum project in Le Quesnoy, France and the Cranford Hospice redevelopment in Hawke’s Bay.

She’s a woman of action and making things happen. As the saying goes, if you need to get a job done, ask a busy person. Jenni has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Public Policy from Victoria University. She is a Local Government New Zealand representative on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Tourism Infrastructure Fund, a Director of Business Hawke’s Bay, a Trustee on the Whanganui Collegiate College Board, and a Trustee on the Huntley School Board.

In her spare time, Jenni helps her husband Stratton on their sheep and beef farm in Central Hawke’s Bay and is usually following their five children around with sporting activities.

Service Focus

Capital Raising – Strategy Development – Māori/Iwi Economic Development – Government Relations.

Contact: 027 630 4392

CHRISTINE ENNIS

With a wealth of broad-ranging experience at the local government level, Christine came to Giblin Group and became a work powerhouse. With nine years at Giblin Group, Christine is the Group’s go-to person on any work-related issues that pop up on projects. Her calm manner keeps the team grounded.

She is very experienced in undertaking research, writing business cases and feasibility studies, developing policy and strategy documents, preparing funding applications and managing accountability requirements for large community facilities.

Over her years at Giblin Group, Christine has enjoyed working with communities around the country on the development of significant community facilities. A current highlight is working on the New Zealand Memorial Museum project in Le Quesnoy, France. Christine has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in languages and literature from Massey University.

Service Focus

Capital Raising – Strategic Development.

Contact: 027 818 1800

Jessica O'Brien, Giblin Group

JESS O’BRIEN

Jess is a strategic and creative thinker, who brings energy and a positive attitude to her work. She loves a challenge and is passionate about enabling others and working collaboratively while having fun along the way. Jess’s authentic communication style lends itself to relationship building and stakeholder engagement. 

Jess began her working life as an intern at the World Health Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland, and has since worked across legal, operations, strategy and planning, project management and governance disciplines. Jess holds a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from the University of Canterbury. She is a member of the Collective Intelligence personal and professional development programme.

Her recent projects include delivering a fundraising capability building programme to Creative New Zealand clients and strategic planning for Footnote New Zealand Dance’s new building project. Currently, Jess is leading the development of Giblin Group’s online fundraising platform. This will enable more organisations across New Zealand to access Giblin Group’s expertise. There is more to come on this project, so watch this space!

In her spare time, Jess gets outdoors as much as she can, loves travelling and having good times with her family and friends. 

Service Focus

Capital Raising –  Strategic Development.

Contact: 027 533 8891

Gus Charteris

Gus is an experienced economic development expert with strong strategic thinking, policy, research, relationship building and influencing skills. He’s good fun and loves exploring and bringing structure to information and ideas so that good decisions can be made.

Most recently, Gus led MBIE’s work on partnering with the community and business to maximise the opportunities and manage the impacts of the change brought about by the transition to a low emissions economy. Gus has a Bachelor of Business Studies (Honours) in Economics from Massey University.

Outside of work, you will find Gus getting some balance doing something active, and spending as much time as he can with his friends and extended family.

Service Focus

Economic Development – Strategy Development – Māori/Iwi Economic Development – Government Relations

Contact: 021 384 544

ROSS HOLDEN

Ross handles all Giblin Group communications. He has worked in local government and private organisations for more than 50 years. For six years, he covered a wide range of roles at the Hastings District Council – communications, event management and website content management. He has a genuine curiosity to figure out how things work, and every day consistently does his best work.

Working alongside his other positions, Ross has spent more than 35 years as a radio host with Radio New Zealand, the Radio Network and now, NZME. While ‘on-air’ work was the central part of his role, he also included journalism and sports commentary in his repertoire. If you want to know anything about sport – Ross is your man! He also hosts Holden on Sport on Newstalk ZB in Hawke’s Bay each Saturday morning.

Contact: 021 263 8488

MARGOT LE LIEVRE

Margot is responsible for marketing, research, project support and administration. Here at Giblin Group Margot is in contact with all of our clients and helps assist the team to get projects over the line.  Margot is lively, lots of fun and she’s always up for a good laugh.

Margot is a recent graduate from Lincoln University having studied a Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing.  She has recently returned back to Hawke’s Bay after living in Christchurch for the last 3 years.

In her spare time, Margot enjoys socialising with friends and family, cooking, being active and helping out on the family farm.

Contact: 027 898 8587

CONTRACTORS

Dr STEVEN CHURCH
(Associate Consultant)

Stephen has worked with government agencies such as the Office of Treaty Settlements, the Ministry of Social Development, Ministerial Services and the Children’s Action Plan Directorate. As an associate consultant to Giblin Group, Stephen has provided advice for clients on how central government works and, more importantly, how it can work for them.

REECE MARTIN
(Associate Consultant)

With a central and local government background and extensive experience in working with Maori, Reece offers Giblin Group clients advice on how these groups can work together. He is also able to offer general advice around Māori development and environmental issues.

DAVE BAMFORD
(Associate Consultant)

Dave Bamford has spent a lifetime creating sustainable tourist solutions to benefit economies, individuals and business. Because he loves his work, he’s very good at it, and his professional achievements demonstrate a critical understanding, knowledge and track record of using tourism to provide employment, enhance the welfare of people and communities while protecting the place, its integrity, as well as natural and cultural heritage.

Since 2011 I have worked with Jenni and Christine on a number of highly successful fundraising initiatives in support of the Sarjeant Gallery Redevelopment Project. With their help and expertise, we have raised more than $28.8m from central government and Lottery sources. The Giblin Group are a pleasure to work with and have provided great advice on many occasions concerning communications and public engagement. I can certainly recommend their services.

Greg Anderson, Director, Sarjeant Gallery

Giblin Group supported Blue Oyster with developing a robust Revenue Generation Strategy that took into account the specific needs of our organisation and activity. Jenni and Jess offered substantial advice and support in, not only establishing this strategy but giving us helpful tools for implementation and always prioritised sustainability throughout. Their enthusiasm for our space and activity was truly felt and appreciated – our relationship with them will be nourished and valued well into the future.

Grace Ryder, Gallery Director, Blue Oyster Gallery

“As our thinking evolved, Giblin Group showed a steady commitment to deepen their understanding of our needs. We always looked forward to our coaching sessions which were stimulating and inspiring. Jess and Jenni became valued colleagues that supported and provoked thinking with rigour and generosity. They’re now not only valuable advocates for BATS but part of our whānau.”

Jonty Hendry - General Manager, BATS Theatre

“Jenni did a fantastic job in helping us to secure critical partnerships and funding support for our internationally significant Len Lye Centre project – what’s more we really enjoyed working with her.”

Barbara McKerrow - Former CEO New Plymouth District Council

“Giblin Group’s knowledge of government practices and procedures on a national and local level is invaluable, and I often find that they are well connected with staff and officials on all levels of Government. Giblin Group scopes their assignments well, provides accurate cost estimates for their services, delivers within the agreed timeframes and always deliver excellent quality work – no project manager can really ask for more!”

Kritzo Venter, Senior Stormwater Engineer, Wanganui District Council

“The work that the Giblin Group completed, in collaboration with our staff, was instrumental in the success the project has had in securing significant funding to this key City initiative. In particular we have found the experience of the Giblin Group to been invaluable in seeking funding from a variety of sources in an increasingly challenging environment.”

Lance Vervoort, General Manager – Community, Hamilton City Council