We recognise that recent leadership changes at NorthChamber have understandably prompted questions from members and stakeholders, and we welcome the opportunity to provide some clarity.
Many of you will already have seen our earlier communications advising of the departure of our Chief Executive Officer, Leah McKerrow. Leah joined NorthChamber in October 2024, and we thank her for her 18‑month contribution, including her leadership across our events programme and her role in initiating the A Connected North initiative, which she will continue to work with through to its completion.
Some members may not be aware that our Board Chair, Stephen Gibson, also stepped aside from the Board last month due to the increasing demands of his other professional commitments.
Stephen shared, “It has been my privilege to be a member of the Chamber Board since February 2023 and Chair since late 2025. This was not an easy decision, however the time and energy required to properly fulfil the responsibilities of the Chair have become increasingly difficult to manage alongside my other commitments. I believe it is important that the role is held by someone who can give it the attention it deserves.” The Board is grateful for Stephen’s leadership and service and looks forward to continuing to connect with him at Chamber events into the future.
While periods of change can naturally bring uncertainty, NorthChamber remains stable and fully operational. Our team continues to deliver events and projects, including the Northland Business Excellence Awards, scheduled networking and capability‑building events, and our most recent initiative, ChamberWorks.
During this interim phase, the Board is actively supporting the team and will continue to keep members and stakeholders informed as work progresses. Our commitment to building strong relationships across Northland, growing business capability, and fostering meaningful connections and partnerships remains central to our purpose. If you have any questions or would like to connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any of our Board members. Thank you for your continued support and for your part in building a prosperous Northland.
Tim Robinson
NorthChamber Board Chair
chair@northchamber.co.nz
