New directors have been confirmed for two of the city's Council Controlled Organisations and the company to be formed by their amalgamation.

It has also confirmed a director and chairman of Tauranga City Investments Limited - the holding company for the two entities.

Michael Smith director of TCIL, John Loughlin and Keith Tempest.

Vacancies for the directorships in TCIL, and Tauranga City Aquatics Limited (TCAL) and Tauranga City Venues Limited (TCVL), which will merge on July 1, were publicly advertised in December 2012.

Michael Smith has been appointed the director and chairperson of TCIL. His appointment term will be for an approximately three year term ending on June 30, 2016. The current directors are council deputy chief executive Christine Jones and Mayor Stuart Crosby.

He will receive an annual fee of $25,000 (plus GST if any) per annum.

Council has also confirmed the following director appointments to TCVL and TCAL commencing on April 1, 2013 and ending when the two amalgamate on June 30.

They are Shirley Baker, reappointed as Chairperson of TCAL; Graeme Elvin – reappointed as Chairperson of TCVL; Peter Farmer – Chairperson of the Amalgamated CCO (including any workshops/meetings relating to the amalgamation held prior to amalgamation date).

Murray Gutry, John Loughlin and Keith Tempest have also been appointed.

Council has also made an offer of reappointment to Bernie Gillon as a director of TCVL.

All of the amalgamated CCO directors have been appointed for a three year term from the amalgamation date, with the exception of Shirley Baker and Graeme Elvin, who have each been appointed for a two year term.

The chair of CCO will receive $55,000 per annum and each ordinary director will receive $30,000.

Council reports a four-person independent appointment panel considered applications and recommended suitable candidates for appointment.

The recommendations were considered by the Elected Members at a Council meeting last week before final appointments made.

Mayor Stuart Crosby says the line-up of directors is of national standard. He says the individuals will provide a mix of skills - governance, finance, law, business acumen, marketing, human resource management, events and facilities management, and community involvement – necessary to successfully manage such large and complex company.

'These are key community assets and the challenge for the directors is to improve their value by maximising their use, to deliver the best services possible and create opportunities for new business activities,” says Stuart.

The company to be formed by the amalgamation of TCVL and TCAL has not yet been named. Its venue and facility assets are valued at between $140million - $160million.

Michael Smith is a Tauranga based lawyer who has considerable experience as a director of publicly listed companies, private companies, council controlled organisations and not‑for‑profit entity.

He was appointed to the board of Quayside Holdings Ltd in 1999 and has been chairman since 2008. He was also appointed to the board of the Port of Tauranga Ltd in 2001.

He was previously a director of Tauranga Civic Holdings Ltd (1995-1996), which was the Council's former holding company and its subsidiaries - Aspen Contractors Ltd, Kaimai Hydropower Ltd, Tauranga Electricity Ltd and Testing Station Services Ltd which were all progressively divested by the Council.

Shirley Baker is the current chair of Tauranga City Aquatics Ltd (TCAL) since 2010. She has a professional background in accounting and finance including with local authorities and CCOs and is owner/director of a Tauranga-based engineering company.

Shirley is chair of Netball Bay of Plenty and a former director of Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic netball franchise. She has had considerable experience as a director of private companies and in sports administration. She has been a competitive swimmer and swimming coach.

Graeme Elvin is the current chair of TCVL having been appointed in 2010. Graeme is a partner in a Tauranga-based law firm.

He was formerly an independent director and chair of the Chiefs rugby franchise and is a director of several private companies. He was formerly chairman of the Bay of Plenty Sports Foundation Trust Board, Waiapu Anglican Social Services Trust Board and Waiapu Anglican Diocese Standing Committee.

He also serves on the boards of not-for-profit organisations and had a long career as a rugby player and administrator.

Peter Farmer is the executive chairman of Tauranga's Farmer Motor Group Ltd. His professional background was in public affairs for the Todd Corporation and sales, marketing and management of Nissan New Zealand.

Peter has been extensively involved in a wide range of Tauranga-based organisations including Priority One, Waipuna Hospice, Compass Foundation, Acorn Foundation and is a director of Avocado New Zealand.

He is strongly committed to the Tauranga community and supports many community and philanthropic organisations.

Bernie Gillon is a current Director of TCVL and has connections with motor sports, including speedway. From 1991 until 2004 he owned Jennian Homes which he successfully developed into a nation-wide building franchise. He has been involved with rugby, golf and swimming.

Murray Gutry is a Hamilton-based professional director with property at Mount Maunganui. He is currently a director of Sport New Zealand and a trustee of the Lion Foundation.

Murray was previously chief executive of Sport Waikato and Perry Group Investment Management Ltd and is a current director of Perry Group and Midland Health.

Murray has an extensive career as a sportsman – former NZ 100 metre national track title and record holder, NZ athletics representative 1981 to 1990, Waikato Rugby representative. He has also served as chair of Waikato Sports Promotions and Waikato Institute of Sport and Leisure Studies, and as a trustee of Waikato Regional Sports & Events Centre Trust Board that built Waikato Stadium.

John Loughlin is a chartered accountant currently based in Havelock North, but spends much time in Tauranga and looking move to the Bay of Plenty.

He is stepping down as chair of Zespri Group Ltd and is a director/chair of several other companies including the Port of Napier Ltd.

John has experience with Crown Companies and council controlled organisations and has been a director of Taupo Motorsport Park Ltd. He brings considerable commercial experience across a wide spectrum of industry sectors in roles as chief financial officer, chief executive officer and director.

Keith Tempest is a Tauranga based professional director with a background in commerce and marketing. He was formerly chief executive of TrustPower Ltd for eight years and currently a director of the Port of Tauranga Ltd, Transpower and Crown Fibre Holdings.

He has strengths in business strategy, acquisitions and mergers, complex commercial arrangements and risk management. He has strong links with the local business community and is a long-time resident of Tauranga.