24 January 2024
Southland’s Chris Hughes Assumes Leadership Role on National Stage as NZCCI Chair
The Southland Business Chamber proudly congratulates Chris Hughes, a valued member of its Board, on his election as Chair of the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Inc. (NZCCI) Board. Chris’s election is a testament to his outstanding leadership and dedication to the business community, both regionally and nationally.
Having served one term on the NZCCI Board, Chris Hughes has now assumed the esteemed position of Chair, bringing Southland’s voice to the forefront of the national business landscape. This election represents an exciting milestone for Southland and highlights the growing influence and reputation of Southland’s business leaders.
Sheree Carey, CEO of the Southland Business Chamber and past Director on the NZCCI Board, expressed her enthusiasm for Chris Hughes’s new role. “We are immensely proud of Chris’s achievement in being elected as Chair of the NZCCI Board. This is a significant moment for Southland and underscores the importance of our region’s representation at the national level.”
Chris Hughes, who is born and raised in Southland, boasts a wealth of experience gained from senior management roles in a large corporate company and his tenure as Managing Director of a medium-sized engineering business. His leadership journey has been characterised by a commitment to excellence and a passion for driving business success.
As Chair of the NZCCI Board, Chris will play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of chambers of commerce across New Zealand. This appointment not only reflects his personal accomplishments but also highlights the Southland business community’s vitality and influence on a national scale.
With 30 chambers of commerce in New Zealand and over 22,000 businesses under the NZCCI umbrella, Chris’s vision and guidance will be instrumental in advancing the interests of Southland and New Zealand businesses.
“I’m honoured to take on the role of Chair at NZCCI, and I’m excited to represent Southland’s business community on a national scale. Together, we’ll work to ensure that the voice of regional chambers is heard loud and clear, and that businesses in every corner of New Zealand have the support they need to thrive” Chris Hughes said.
As a not-for-profit business membership association, the Southland Business Chamber remains committed to advocating for the interests of its members and fostering sustainable, profitable business growth in the region. Chris Hughes’s election as Chair of the NZCCI Board further reinforces the chamber’s dedication to providing leadership and support to businesses in Southland.
New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors:
- Chris Hughes – Southland Business Chamber (Chair)
- Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber
- Mike Collins – Business South
- Don Good – Waikato Chamber of Commerce
- Matt Cowley – Tauranga Chamber of Commerce
- Karla Lee – Hawkes Bay Chamber of Commerce
- Arun Chaudhari – Taranaki Chamber of Commerce
- Daniel Fleming – Taranaki Chamber of Commerce
- Paul Ingram – Rotorua Business Chamber
- Rakesh Nauhria – Auckland Business Chamber