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 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 her five children around with their sporting activities.

Service Focus

Capital Raising – Strategy Development – Maori/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 eight 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

CHRIS BAIN

Intensely curious about why things are the way they are and how they could be better are questions always at the forefront of Chris’ mind. This sense of inquisitiveness is born from a natural desire to learn and apply that learning. Before Chris began consulting, he spent eighteen years at Napier Port moving from Marketing to Commercial to the Chief Operating Officer for his final six years. With an astute economic and business sense, Chris’ skills neatly dovetail into Giblin Group’s clients who require economic and commercial insight across multiple industry sectors. 

Chris holds a Bachelor of Business Studies in Agribusiness & Marketing from Massey University and has completed the Executive Programme of the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia (in conjunction with EY New Zealand).

Chris has been active in regional economic development for more than 20 years and is a former Deputy Chair of Business Hawke’s Bay.

Service Focus   

Economic Development – Strategic Development – Maori/Iwi Economic Development.

Contact: 021 242 2912

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 – Maori/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

MAREE HAMELINK

Maree is Giblin Group’s Business Administrator and the glue of our business. She is in contact with all of our clients, dotting i’s and crossing t’s. Maree is directly involved in fundraising for some of our clients.  

Maree has previously worked as a Business Administrator for a local accountant and most recently for a large Farming/Waste Management business. Before that, she was in the Education sector, working with children with special needs.  Maree’s duties include Accounts Receivables, Accounts Payables, Payroll and Office Management.

Maree is your first point of contact when you visit our office.

Contact: 021 146 2198

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.