Buller District Council has announced the appointment of Simon Pickford as its new Chief Executive Officer for a five-year term.
Mr Pickford (pictured) brings more than two decades of local government experience to Buller District Council, with a background in various council functions, including customer and regulatory services, community development, libraries, IT, corporate strategy, and policy.
He also previously held the role of General Manager of Community Services at Dunedin City Council, where over nine years he led community services and gained significant emergency management experience, notably during the 2015 South Dunedin floods.
“I am honoured and excited to step into the role of Chief Executive Officer at Buller District Council,” Mr Pickford said.
“The opportunity to work closely with such a dedicated team and to engage with the vibrant Buller community is something I’m really looking forward to. It was the beauty and unique character of the Buller region which attracted me to this role as well as the sense of unity and resilience among its people.
“I look forward to helping the council deliver its vision to build a thriving district and to work with the community to address the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead,” he said.
Mayor, Jamie Cleine said Mr Pickford’s extensive background in senior local government roles stood out during the recruitment process.
“The high quality and enthusiasm among the candidates were particularly striking. We appreciate the interest and efforts of all candidates and wish to thank all unsuccessful candidates for their interest in serving the Buller District,” he said.
“Simon’s extensive background in senior local government roles stands out. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with him, welcoming him into the Buller community, and introducing him to our wider BDC team. Simon’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for our council as we navigate through some difficult strategic decisions as a council.”
Mr Pickford replaces outgoing CEO, Steve Gibling, who departs the organisation on 28 March.
“Steve has been pivotal to our success, and as he embarks on a new role at Selwyn District Council, we thank him for his exceptional service,” the Mayor said.
“Welcoming Simon is timely, as he brings a wealth of experience to navigate Buller’s future challenges. His leadership will be instrumental in continuing the progress and initiatives Steve has set in motion.”
The Council received 74 applications for the CEO position.
