A changing at the helm for Bay of Connections has seen Bay of Plenty Regional Council chair Doug Leeder fill the role

John Cronin recently stepped down as chair, opening the door for Doug to move up the ladder.

New Bay of Connections Governance Group Chairman, Doug Leeder.

Maori Business representative Richard Jones has resigned from his position on the Governance Group, although will still be actively involved with the Bay of Connections as co-chair of the Maori Economic Development Strategy.

The group is seeking applications being sought for a new Maori Business representative.

Established in 2008, the Bay of Connections is the industry-led growth strategy for the wider Bay of Plenty region, aimed at growing employment in key target areas.

It is driven by a commercially-focused Governance Group that represents Eastern Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo and Western Bay of Plenty, in partnership with the Bay of Plenty Council, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the region's economic development agencies.

The Governance Group is supported by a management group and sector groups focused on actions to drive efficiencies, productivity and benefits in the areas of aquaculture, forestry, freight logistics, energy, Maori development and sport and recreation.

Doug says John has been a hugely influential driving force behind the establishment and progress of the Bay of Connections.

'John has been a pioneering force from the outset, driving strategy and structure for the Bay of Connections from inception to its current form.

'The early years required many critical conversations to build trust and understanding in order for the strategies to have a true impact on our region, and John's leadership and guidance has resulted in a solid foundation on which to exact real change for the future.

'Under John's leadership the Governance Group has developed five sector strategies, with the sixth about to be launched and another in the pipeline.”

Doug says it's exciting to see the strategies come to life, with positive growth already taking place throughout the region.

He says Richard will also be missed in the Maori Business representative position, having had a substantial impact on strategy development.

'Richard has been influential in his work in developing the Maori Economic Development Strategy and we look forward to continuing to work with him alongside this strategy, which is being launched in February.”

The Governance Group is currently seeking applications for a Maori business representative role.