The Team

Your Grow Mid Canterbury executive team

Rob Brawley - CEO
Rob is an experienced economic development professional and CEO. He has led the agency’s development since 2007.

His background includes bank management, commercial and corporate lending, financial and business consultancy and business ownership. Rob is a director of several companies and community organisations. He is president of the Massey MBA Alumni Association and chair of the MBA business advisory board. His qualifications include: MBA (Dist.), GradDipBusStuds, CFPcm, and SA (Fin).

Simon Nikoloff – SME Manager
Simon joined the agency in November 2011, after more than 27 years in business and as a business advisor. Simon is passionate about business, its endless opportunities and the entrepreneurs that make ideas into a business reality.

Simon focuses on helping businesses consolidate, refocus and refine core business, marketing and products and on improving business effectiveness and capability.

Simon graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and his background includes manufacturing, export and importing, tourism, training and development for businesses.

Rachel Prendergast - Youth Coach
Rachel works with youth from Ashburton College, Mt Hutt College and the wider Mid Canterbury community as an advocate finding suitable employment and career options for them.

Rachel has over 10 years’ experience working with young people and has built strong relationships with local employers and business owners in order to smoothly bridge the gap for young people transitioning to employment.

Rachel works with young people in order to engage them in employment, employment focused education and training. She also has a focus on attracting more youth into careers in the local trades and related industry. Rachel is a founding trustee of the Ashburton Youth Café Charitable Trust, a project initiated to provide a safe and supportive environment for young people.

Trina Moore – Administrator/Executive Assistant
Trina is the CEO’s Executive Assistant and Administrator and supports all areas of the agency, from training and HR to marketing, compliance, financial and board reporting. Trina oversees the agency’s website, marketing materials and corporate profile.

As a senior team member with a passion and natural ability for organising events, Trina keeps everything in order and working behind the scenes. Trina is a member of the governance group for the Mid Canterbury Newcomers’ Network.

James White – Project Manager
James joined the agency in July. Prior to joining the team at GMC James was a full-time MBA (Master of Business Administration) student at the University of Canterbury. His previous employment experience includes logistics manager at Blaxall & Steven, product planner for Kathmandu and Managing Director of Onboard. James has a passion for increasing economic, social and environmental prosperity.

Grow Mid Canterbury Board

Dave Dynes - Chairman
Owner of Methven Travel Ltd. Dave resides in Methven and served as a board of trustees member for Mt Hutt College for many years. Family and community are important parts of Dave's life.

Neil Pluck
Owner of Rakaia based Pluck's Engineering, specialising in agriculture engineering and irrigation equipment. Neil is actively involved in various community groups in Rakaia and chairs the Rakaia Community Association.

Peter Townsend - Chief Executive of Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce
Peter has a BSc (Hons.) in Zoology, a PG Dip Bus Ad and is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and of the Institute of Management. Peter holds several corporate directorships and is involved with a range of community groups and initiatives in Canterbury that are in harmony with the objectives of the Employers' Chamber. Peter is the Honorary Consul for Chile for the South Island.

Brendon Adam CA, B.Com & Dip Grad
Partner and Managing Director of the accountancy firm Brophy Knight Ltd. Brendon has a BCom and Graduate Diploma in Accountancy and is a Chartered Accountant. Originally from Southland Brendon settled in Ashburton in 2001 and has sporting interests in rugby, golf and squash.

Robert Newlands
Robert is the Owner and Managing Director of Newlands Group Ltd who specialise in auto electrical services, parts and manufacturing. Robert is also Managing Director of Nico International Ltd which manufactures connector clips for the local and export market. Robert is born and bred in Ashburton, married with 2 sons and his interests include running and mountain biking.

John Van Polanen
John and his wife Joanne are successful dairy farmers at Winchmore near Methven. John is a keen athlete and has competed in many events including the iconic Coast to Coast. John Chairs the Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Scheme.

Neil Brown
Neil is a longstanding Councillor for the Ashburton District, now in his third term. Neil has a farming and commercial property background and farms and resides at Mitcham with his wife Judy and their two children.

Mark Wilson
Mark is a director of the Bradford Group, one of Canterbury’s longest serving building companies. Mark joined the agency in April 2011.