New Rotorua Trust manager Tony Gill. Photo/Supplied
New Rotorua Trust manager Tony Gill is "looking forward to adding value to the special place that is Rotorua."
Mr Gill is due to start with the trust early in 2016 following the trustees' decision to appoint the former Rotorua man.
Mr Gill shifted to Rotorua at an early age and attended St Mary's Primary and the former Edmund Rice College (now John Paul College).
Mr Gill's father was the head greenkeeper for many years at the Rotorua Golf Club course at Arikikapakapa, so he grew up in the greenkeeper's house on the course at the end of Fenton Street.
It is more than 30 years since Mr Gill lived in Rotorua and he is coming to the Trust with a career in commercial and sponsorship management roles.
Before taking the Trust role, he was the National Grants Manager with the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT), during which time he was responsible for managing the trust's extensive grants operation - an experience he believes will be useful in his new role with the Rotorua Trust.
In the nearly 12 years he has been at the Wellington-based NZCT, the funder has distributed more than $450 million.
Mr Gill has also experienced sales and marketing roles with Diners Club and Trust Bank, both of which took him to Rotorua. With Trust Bank - later WestpacTrust - part of his role was managing regional sponsorship relationships, including those with the Rotorua Brass Band and the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.
"I've always had a working association with Rotorua as well as my family links," he said.
The new role of Trust Manager is part of a new management and operations structure at the Rotorua Trust.
Mr Gill's aim is to ensure the Trust remains approachable, operates efficiently, and continues to make consistent and transparent funding decisions.
"I'll also be looking to develop a more proactive approach to building relationships with other funders, service providers and groups that are in need."
The 54-year-old has children aged 23 and 25, who are building careers of their own.
Outside of work, Mr Gill is looking forward to being closer to the Chiefs having been a fan since day one.
He is keen to buy a new mountain bike and try out some of the forest trails, and to dust off his old canoe.
"I do think that Rotorua is a very special place. I am privileged to be able to come home to such a role, and I am committed to doing my best to help the Trust continue to make a positive difference," said Mr Gill.
Rotorua Trust Chairman Grahame Hall said newly appointed Trust Manager Tony Gill brings an enormous amount of experience to the position and the Rotorua Trust is delighted to secure the services of such an experienced operator and hometown boy.
"The trustees believe Tony's background and experience will ensure the Rotorua Trust remains in a good position heading into the future," he said.
The appointment marks a move away from having a chief executive role and changes the way the trust undertakes its business.
Investment management and financial reporting have been outsourced, using the services of global operator Mercer Financial Services and BDO respectively, leading to a realignment of staff.
"As a result of these changes, trustees believe we have placed the Trust in a good position going into the next decade," said Mr Hall.