Auckland Council has announced the appointment of Cassandra Crowley as an Independent Reviewer and Governance Observer to support Heart of the City through the process of restoring a functioning Executive Committee.
Council Chief Executive, Phil Wilson says Ms Crowley’s role will beto verify the Heart of the City’s membership register and support the steps required for a Special General Meeting to elect a new Executive Committee.
“Aucklanders deserve a vibrant, safe and prosperous city centre and Heart of the City’s members deserve a high-functioning business association. This appointment ensures continuity of its important services in the city centre, while supporting resolution of Heart of the City’s governance challenges,” said Mr Wilson.
“The council has a significant interest in the success of the city centre and acknowledges Heart of the City and its role working for the economic benefit of the city centre.”
Mr Crowley will provide independent oversight and assurance over the membership verification process, communications to members and BID affiliates, and the steps required for a Special General Meeting to elect a new Executive Committee.
“This is about ensuring there is a fair, transparent and credible process that gives confidence to Heart of the City members and the public,” said Mr Wilson.
“Importantly, we have agreed with the organisation’s Chief Executive that, while these membership and governance matters are resolved, Heart of the City will continue to deliver its day-to-day operations, including marketing, security and events. Major new decisions will not be made until a new Executive Committee is in place.
“While we can’t yet say how long Ms Crowley will need to be in this role, the priority here is ensuring that all the necessary steps to having a new Executive Committee in place are carried out as quickly as possible,” he said.
Ms Crowley has extensive executive and governance experience including in and around local government and membership organisations.
She is a non-executive director in several sectors of the New Zealand economy, including Deputy Chair of the NZTA Board, NZX listed South Port and a number of other businesses, and is an independent (external to Auckland Council) member of the council’s Audit and Risk Committee. She also chairs several audit, finance and risk committees and committees overseeing digital transformation.
