experienceupperhutt

Nick was instrumental in the foundation of Experience Upper Hutt when he lobbied the Upper Hutt City Council in 2001 to commence a Main Street programme after the collapse of the Promall Application.  Nick holds a firm belief that the Upper Hutt CBD can achieve greater prominence in the region if it uses a united approach to marketing, promotion and environmental issues. 

Nick heads the Policy Committee of Experience Upper Hutt along with the role of Chairperson.

Barry Timms is one of the two Upper Hutt City Council's representatives on the Board of Experience Upper Hutt and also undertakes the role of Treasurer.  Barry has spent over 20 years running major business projects both within the governmental and industrial sectors.  These projects have involved business application implementation and software development.

Barry is also Operations Manager for Prison Fellowship New Zealand and has been responsible for transitioning the organisation through its time of rapid growth.

Hellen was appointed Director of Experience Upper Hutt in January 2006 and continues to thoroughly enjoy the role. Though not born in Upper Hutt, Hellen has lived in the region for nearly 28 years and considers herself a local.  Hellen is passionate about Upper Hutt and enjoys working with liked-minded people.  Hellen has been in partnership in a business on Main Street, has also worked at CIT in its hey-day and has run her own catering business for a number of years.   

Hellen's background is in Hospitality and she was part of the original senior management team to run the beloved "Cake Tin".

Jenny is currently the Chair of the Promotions sub-committee for Experience Upper Hutt.

As Manager of the Upper Hutt Leader for the past six years, Jenny is uniquely placed for her role on the promotions side of Experience Upper Hutt.   The Leader has, for over 70 years, been an interface between business and community and many of the City's promotions were sponsored and run by the Leader prior to the inception of Experience Upper Hutt.

Some of the City's events such as the Passports to Christmas Country and the Business Excellence Awards were initially joint ventures between Experience Upper Hutt and the Upper Hutt Leader.  With more and more businesses coming on board the Awards have now become a total Upper Hutt Event.  The promotions' team welcomes new people on board. "We are always looking for help and ideas."

Dave has been a founding member of Experience Upper Hutt since 2005 and is Director/Manager of Wheelers Shoes, an established retailer in Upper Hutt.

Dave is actively involved in the community in various sports codes and is passionate about the development of the region's young people.  Dave is also part of the security committee that pushed for the introduction of CCTV cameras to help safety issues within the CBD community.  "The potential for Upper Hutt is enormous if we all pull together.  The successful key to all good associations is bringing all its constituents together for a common cause and getting them all to sing from the same song sheet."

Brenda is co-owner and Property Manager of McArthur Real Estate Ltd, the longest standing Real Estate company in Upper Hutt.

Brenda has been heavily involved in the community over the years starting with Parents Centre, The Plunket Society, Board of Trustees at Fraser Crescent and the Board of Trustees at Heretaunga College.  Brenda was also acting Board Chairperson for quite some time and had a hands on approach to the governance of the School.

Brenda's involvement with Experience Upper Hutt has provided a challenging opportunity as her desire is to inspire the growth of the Upper Hutt Retailers through the support of the local community.

John Gwilliam is a founding member of Experience Upper Hutt and as an Upper Hutt City Councillor is one of the Council's representatives on the Board.

As a Barrister and Solicitor, John has been practising in the Upper Hutt region since 1986 and has owned his own practice, John Gwilliam & Co Limited, since 1992.  This year his firm won the Best Professional Services award at the annual Upper Hutt Excellence in Business Awards 2009.

John brings to the Board extensive business and advisory experience.

Sonja is a Director of Rio Bravo Consulting Ltd and is a former Business Advisor for Grow Wellington and International Trade & Marketing Consultant for NZTE.

Sonja has worked with NZ exporters in the European market for eight years and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of economic development to the Upper Hutt region. Sonja is passionate about business growth and has a desire to see the Upper Hutt CBD succeed to provide Upper Hutt city residents with a unique shopping experience.

Sonja is also the Editor of the Main Experience newsletter, published monthly by Experience Upper Hutt.

Derek Still is the Manager of the Salon Club, situated on Main Street in Upper Hutt and has been heavily involved in the hairdressing industry as Chairman of the Wellington Ladies Hairdressing Association for two years, a Trade Certificate Examiner for two years and the Apprenticeship Committee. 

Derek is a strong advocate in regards to growing the Upper Hutt CBD and describes himself as a modern renaissance man.