A Regional Renaissance

JENNI GIBLIN

Leading the team and steering the ship, Jenni brings vast local and central government experience with a healthy dose of vitality to all projects. With expertise in capital raising and an innate understanding of relationship brokering, she has secured many business developments by bringing the right people together with the right questions. One of her strengths is making social capital relevant in a local context to add significant value to council initiatives.

Jenni has worked on a huge range of projects over the last 9 years. Highlights have included the Len Lye Centre building, the Sargent Gallery redevelopment and currently she is working on the Hawke’s Bay Opera House earthquake strengthening project and the Wild For Taranaki biodiversity project.

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 in Social Policy and an Honours degree in Public Policy from Victoria University. She is also on the Board of Directors for Business Hawke’s Bay and Whanganui Collegiate.

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 six 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 reports and feasibility studies, developing policy and strategy documents, preparing funding applications and managing accountability requirements for large community facilities.

One of her recent highlights includes the Rocket Tourism project. Currently Christine is working on some very exciting projects, Te Awamutu Heritage Centre development and the expansion of the National Aquarium of New Zealand. Christine has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in language and literature from Massey University.

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 6 years there. With an astute economic and business sense, Chris’ skills neatly dovetail into Giblin Group’s clients who require economic insight across multiple industry sectors. 

Chris holds a Bachelor of Business Studies and has completed the Executive Programme of the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia (in conjunction with Ernst Young New Zealand).   

JESSICA O’BRIEN

Smart as a whip, Jess loves a challenge and working collaboratively to deliver results for clients. A natural and authentic communicator, she has proven ability in relationship building and stakeholder engagement.Herinterest areas include social enterprise, regional economic development and corporate social responsibility.

Having started her career out as an intern at the World Health Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland, Jess has had broad ranging experience locally and internationally. She has undertaken various roles in governance, legal, operations, strategy and planning, and risk management.

Jess has a Bachelor of Law (International Trade) and Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from the University of Canterbury and has a continued focus learning and development.

ROSS HOLDEN

Ross has worked in local Government and private organisations over the last 47 years. The last 6 years has been spent covering a wide range of roles at the Hastings District Council including communications, event management and website content management. He has a genuine curiosity to figure out how things work and everyday consistently does his best work.

Working along side his other positions, Ross has spent the preceding 25 years as a radio host with Radio New Zealand and the Radio Network. While ‘on-air’ work makes up the main part of his day the roles filled also included journalism and interviewing. If you want to know anything about sport – Ross is your man!

MARGOT BAWDEN

A strategic communications specialist, Margot has worked across a broad range of industries and sectors from local government to boutique business. With a quest for knowledge she enjoys the research process, which forms the base of many projects at Giblin Group.

A fan of the outdoors, Margot has enjoyed working with Nga Pae Rangitikei to develop their strategic communications for this forward-focused environmental project. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours from the Victoria University of Wellington, and a Masters of Arts from the School of Communication at Penn State University, USA.

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 also directly involved in fundraising for some of our clients. If you need a job doing and you want it done well, ask Maree. 

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 with advice on how these groups can work together, as well as more 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.