As CE, Linda provides strategic and operational leadership to Clutha Development with a commitment to accelerate Clutha’s success through dynamic economic development and community empowerment.
To achieve this, Linda guides and manages the execution of contracts and service level agreements across economic development, destination management, and living and working activities within the Clutha District.
Linda recognises the importance of relationship-building and actively grows and supports relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and funding partners. She understands that successful outcomes come from strong partnerships, and she works to advance collaboration, ensuring the seamless delivery of results.
Beyond her role as CE, Linda has been actively engaged in various community organisations. Over the years she has been a committee member, trustee, and volunteer, and continues to contribute as a volunteer at the Cross Recreation Centre. Additionally, her role as a Justice of the Peace reflects her dedication to community service and contributing to the well-being of the community.
Leading the exceptional team at Clutha Development Incorporated is a privilege for Linda. Together, they embark on a collective journey towards a future where living and working in Clutha are not just experiences, but celebrations of community and success.
Sarah plays a pivotal role in nurturing economic growth and innovation within the Clutha District. Her diverse responsibilities encompass vital aspects crucial to the district's economic vibrancy.
Sarah leads initiatives in entrepreneur development, start-up business support, business mentoring, partnership building, diversification exploration, investment opportunities, research, data analysis, and the effective management of Heartland Services. Her strategic foresight and commitment to fostering community growth drive the implementation of initiatives, empowering local businesses to thrive.
With a BA from Otago University, a Graduate Diploma in Economic Development, and a NZ Certificate in Project Management, Sarah merges academic proficiency with practical expertise.
Beyond her role at Clutha Development, Sarah actively contributes to the community as a trustee on Clutha Health Incorporated and the Clutha Licensing Trust, showcasing her dedication to the district's well-being and prosperity.
Sarah is our dedicated Destination Development Manager for the Clutha District. Sarah plays a crucial role in fostering partnerships with key organizations, managing community projects, and enhancing the region's appeal. She focuses on developing new tourism products in collaboration with local businesses and stakeholders. With a practical approach, Sarah oversees marketing strategies and campaigns, ensuring they resonate with residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Additionally, she represents CluthaNZ at various events such as trade shows, industry events, and famils.
Beyond her professional role, Sarah is deeply rooted in the Lawrence and Waitahuna communities. Serving as the treasurer for Simpson Park Sports Complex and also an integral part of the Waitahuna School Board of Trustees. Additionally, she holds a position on the Board of Proprietors at St Hilda's Collegiate. Sarah brings a wealth of expertise to these roles, complemented by her Bachelor of Commerce degree from Lincoln University, where she majored in Hotel and Institutional Management. Her commitment to community and education further enriches her holistic approach to destination development.
Laura actively supports a range of administration tasks to ensure that Clutha Development runs efficiently. She also provides support to projects across the orginisation's key focus areas and is responsible for the management and delivery of Heartland Services.
Sarita works on connecting people in the Clutha District to support local projects and partnerships. She collaborates with businesses and organisations, aiming to benefit everyone involved. Her role includes organising training, workshops, and events in the district, while also encouraging community participation, building membership, and keeping our records up-to-date.
Her expertise in community and youth engagement, coupled with her tenure as a Board Member and volunteer with the New Zealand Red Cross since 2013, reflects her commitment to making a positive impact, building connections and enhancing community resilience. Calling Milton home Sarita is dedicated to making a positive impact for those living and working in the Clutha District.
Simon Davies, with his wife Joanna, farm a 10,000su sheep and beef breeding and finishing farm at Toko Mouth. They have farmed in the Clutha District for thirteen years and have been a member of Clutha Development Inc. since it began.
Simon has completed a B Tech at Massey and spent 12 years seafood processing, both in New Zealand and around the world. After a career in the seafood industry he returned to Taranaki to run his family’s sheep, and dairy support farm.
With a passion for the region, excellent communication skills and broad multi-industry experience, Simon is committed to the development of the Clutha district.
Bridget grew up on a sheep, beef and deer farm in Southland. She now resides on a farm in Waitahuna with her husband Luke and their four small children, Isla, Millie, Ava and George. From the time Bridget left school, she knew she wanted to be involved in the agricultural sector. After a few years shepherding, she completed a degree in Agricultural Commerce at Lincoln University, then worked in various rural businesses gaining experience in rural finance, marketing and product management. Bridget is currently the Otago Area Manager for FMG, based in Clutha. This role sees her leading a team of colleagues throughout Otago, who service the commercial, rural and personal insurance requirements of clients.
Living, working and raising her family in the Clutha region shows her strong commitment to the area. She is passionate about the region’s future and is driven to contribute to the growth and sustainability for local businesses whilst promoting and maintaining a strong sense of community.
Will Clarke is a dairy and beef farmer from the Clinton district where his family have farmed since the 1890’s. Will studied accounting and management at the University of Otago and he is a qualified Chartered Accountant. Will has travelled extensively and returned to the farm in 2012 which he now runs with his wife Stacey.
Will is committed to the Clutha district and is motivated to help make it an excellent place to Live, Work and Visit.
Jared is the managing Director at Balclutha Motors which operates the Nissan, Caltex, Pie face and Tyreland franchises here in Balclutha. Jared also has a variety of other business interests, giving him a great understanding of doing business in Clutha and the needs of local businesses and the importance of having people live and shop local to grow the area we live in. He is active in the community with being President of the Clutha Rugby Club amongst other interests.
Hamish is a Dairy Farmer, our water quality project manager and has been a Clutha District Councillor for 15 years, 9 of these as Deputy Mayor. Hamish has vast governance experience, including: Livestock Improvement South Island board, followed by LIC National Council Chair, Chair of Lower Clutha drainage and flood protection liaison group with ORC, RMA accredited hearings panellist and RMA accredited hearings panel chair, Chair, Telford Dairy Farm advisory committee, Otago Land Transport committee, Clutha Health First trustee and the District Development Board as a board member and then Chair.
Noelene is the manager of the Cross Recreation Centre, who leads a small but effective team of five staff. She enjoys the challenges that each day brings in this position where they strive to ensure the facility works efficiently as they provide a valuable experience for all their users. Alongside six years contracted to Netball NZ managing and delivering the CoachForce programme over the Otago Southland area as part of the National Programme.
As a keen netballer Noelene has been involved in many aspects of the sport, coaching many Age Group teams over the years both at a local and provincial level, culminating with the Netball South Under 23 team. She has also been a Committee member for South Otago Netball Centre.
Josh grew up on a lifestyle block 5 minutes out of Balclutha in Barnego. After finishing high school at South Otago High School, he began a Commerce degree majoring in business management at the University of Otago. Following the completion of his degree, Josh began working full time for Mike Hurring Logging as the Health & Safety Administrator. Nowadays he helps with the day-to-day running of the company and the machine simulators that are used for training, a big focus of the company.
In his spare time, Josh is really into hunting having grown up going out most weekends chasing deer, pigs and ducks, and in later years tsar and chamois. Rugby is also a big passion, having played for Clinton Rugby Club. Motocross was also a big part of his life during his school years racing all over NZ and gaining a Blues award in his final year at South Otago.
Originally from England, Denise has lived in New Zealand since 2009 and recently became a citizen.
Since moving to Clutha in 2017, she has been involved in many community projects and organisations. She has been a committee member for Kaitangata Museum, Kaitangata Promotions and the South Otago Theatrical Society. Although no longer on those committees, she still does voluntary work for them, maintaining the SOTS website, submitting funding bids and getting involved in various projects. Denise was also the admin officer for the Clutha Foundation for 2 years.
As a teacher, advisory teacher and headteacher (in England, New Zealand and Bangladesh) she has worked with diverse groups of people at a practical as well as an executive level. Since retiring from teaching, Denise has enjoyed doing all sorts of temporary and casual work and is currently working for an online training company as a copywriter. She also writes plays and songs.
Denise is committed to tackling the environmental issues we face today and ensuring a future for our children and grandchildren, but believes in working with people rather than against them, with kindness and compassion.
She loves Clutha and finds people here very welcoming, friendly and down to earth. She would love to contribute to bringing people into our community here as visitors and as residents.
Bronwyn Campbell lives on a Sheep & Beef farm in Clinton with her husband Ken and three teenage children Brayden, Bree & Libby. She has lived in the Clutha District all of her life apart from when she was at Otago University completing her Bachelor of Commerce in Management & Accounting. She is currently employed at Clutha Health First managing the day-to-day finance and contract operations of the company, of which they are supportive of her application for this role.
Bronwyn is very passionate about our small rural Clutha District and has always been actively involved in a variety of community groups around the district. Currently in her second term on the BOT at SOHS where governance and strategic planning is their role. She has also previously been Chairperson on many groups around the community. As part of her role at Clutha Health First, she writes and presents a variety of management reports to the board regularly to assist them with their governance decisions. Bronwyn believes that Clutha Development plays an integral role within the Clutha District to ensure that our community keeps thriving and believes that she has the skills & passion to contribute to the vision of ensuring that the Clutha District continues to be developed as a great place to live, work, invest & visit.
Anna moved from London to the Clutha district 6 years ago, and has become extremely passionate about our stunning region and the fantastic opportunities to live and work here. She is an active member of the Kaka Point Surf Lifesaving Club and secretary of the Clutha Valley Pool Development Committee.
Living on a dairy farm in Clydevale with her husband and young son, she has a real affinity for rural life and the future of our primary sector. In 2021, Anna completed the Kellogg Rural Leadership Scheme and has been accepted onto the Silver Fern Farms governance programme, ‘To The Core’ to help further her governance aspirations.
Having spent most of her working life in the food industry, she have a good technical background and enjoy figuring out the best methods to communicate complex ideas with an audience.
Currently working as an independent contractor across a range of industries including agriculture, local council and a food tech start-up, she has exposure to a large network of people across the district and country as well as a good understanding of some of the key issues that make us tick.
Born and bred in Balclutha, Nicole attended South Otago High School and graduated from the University of Otago in August 2013. Nicole joined Shand Thomson in July 2013, was awarded Chartered Accountant status in January 2018 and was appointed an Associate in 2022.
Nicole has a natural talent with IT solutions for small businesses and has experience in almost all of the options available. She enjoys encouraging and supporting new business set ups especially those that benefit the Clutha District.
Nicole has a lot of outside interests - she completed her first Spring Challenge in 2018 and has completed a number of challenges since. She is keen to get involved in the District and sees a lot of benefit in volunteering for charitable organisations that benefit everyone.
When she has spare time Nicole enjoys being with her friends and family, and weekends in Cromwell biking the Dunstan Trail.
