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Kia ora koutou,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the CEDA Board and staff for the warm welcome to the role thus far. I was humbled to be welcomed into the organisation by staff and local iwi Rangitāne o Manawatū, with an intimate and meaningful pōwhiri, the ideal way to start my time at CEDA. Tēnā koutou.

As I settle into the new role and prioritise my time, I will be focusing the first three months here at CEDA on connecting with the business community and building strong and meaningful relationships through communication and collaboration, setting the foundations of my new role.

I am enjoying connecting with a wide cross-section of sectors in our business community and understanding the significant opportunity and potential presented. However, it is critical to build strong partnerships to foster collaboration to enable a more prosperous region.

CEDA has a strong team with some exciting and ambitious projects across our key focus areas and I look forward to supporting the team to excel in these areas and continue the momentum and success that we’re seeing in Manawatū, well into the future.

I am buoyed by the robust performance of our regional economy despite the rapidly changing and tumultuous global environment over the past few years, but I know that we cannot become complacent. With the CEDA team, I seek to ensure our business community is equipped with tools and support to endure further expected difficulties, especially there is now a confirmed case of Omicron in our community.

To end, I’d like to reiterate my passion for leading the CEDA team and working with our many stakeholders to achieve strong outcomes for the region and to leverage our collective economic strengths and opportunities.

If you’d like to discuss anything with me, my door is always open so please email me.

Dr Jerry Shearman CEDA CEO

Ngā mihi,
Jerry Shearman
CEO, CEDA

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