Long time Chamber Manager, Anne Pankhurst has announced she will step down from her Events and Sponsorship management role.

Chamber Chief Executive, Matt Cowley, said he would like to celebrate her decision and acknowledge the significant contribution she has made to the Chamber and the Tauranga Community.

“Anne has dedicated over 20 years to working with the Tauranga business community. Her many roles within the Chamber have focused on events, training, and member engagement initiatives, especially the Business Women’s Network (BWN), LINKT Young Professionals, and many other focused networks” he said.

“Over many years, Anne has led our flagship events, such as the Business Awards, BWN Speaker Series, and annual golf tournaments. She has also shared her events and awards expertise with many groups across Aotearoa New Zealand, including the hugely popular Tarnished Frocks and Divas,” says Cowley.

“She has mentored and supported numerous small business owners over the years, and her passion for our creative sector has seen her volunteer many hours with mentorship and support. Anne has held board roles in the Chamber and Downtown Tauranga, and has championed the Tauranga Māori Business Network, supporting their growth over many years.

“We thank Anne for her selfless dedication to the Tauranga Business Chamber, our members and the wider community. We look forward to seeing her continue to apply her wealth of knowledge and expertise in the Tauranga community.”

Cowley acknowledged Anne’s departure would see changes in the way the Chamber operated and along with Chairman Jamie Lunam assured members that the Chamber would retain its lean structure focusing on delivering seamless experiences for members across all of its activities and strengthening skillsets in new and emerging technologies. Read more about those changes here.

Anne’s final day at the Chamber will be 16 May 2024.