About CCHL
CCHL was set up 1993 in response to calls for a confidential independent non-political buffer between Council and the companies it owned. CCHL therefore ensures that a commercial approach is taken to managing the interface with the Council’s companies.
Council’s investment in CCHL and its subsidiary companies was independently valued at over $3.5 billion in June 2024. CCHL has a Standard and Poor’s credit rating of AA stable outlook.
CCHL functions in relation to existing investments
For more information about how CCHL works and its objectives for the current financial year, please refer to our latest published reports and documents.
Accountabiliy
CCHL is accountable to Council through a number of mechanisms, including:
Negotiation of an annual Statement of Intent
Council appointment of directors
Regular reporting to the Council
Publication of six monthly and annual reports
Council has an interest in ensuring that the region’s strategic assets are operated in a commercial manner, but also in a way that is beneficial for the region as a whole.
Through Statements of Intent, Council is able to establish broad parameters reflecting the public nature of these assets, but without inhibiting proper commercial management.
CCHL remains committed to the ownership and monitoring role entrusted to it by its shareholder, Christchurch City Council.
When CCHL was first set up in 1993, the value of its assets was $170 million. With the subsequent addition of the airport and port a couple of years later, the value came close to $400 million. As at June 2024, the group owns assets with a combined value of $6 billion, and group equity is over $2.8 billion.
Mission Statement
“Supporting the future growth of Christchurch by investing in key infrastructure assets that are commercially viable and environmentally and socially sustainable”
Objectives
For more information about how CCHL works and its objectives for the current financial year, please refer to our latest published reports and documents Annual Reports & Statements of Intent
Directors
Bryan Pearson
Chair
Appointed May 2024
Bryan is a governance professional with more than 25 years’ experience in chief executive and board chair roles in the corporate, private, and public sectors across New Zealand and Australia. His experience spans across a range of sectors including professional services, retail, manufacturing, global distribution, events, healthcare, and education. Bryan is currently a Director of the Christchurch Cathedral Reinstatement Project.
Gill Cox
Deputy Chair
NZOM, DistFInstD, CAANZ – Life Member
Appointed April 2023
Currently, Gill serves as Chair of Venues Ōtautahi Ltd and Transwaste Canterbury Ltd and holds board positions with Te Kaha Project Development Ltd and Waimakariri Irrigation Ltd, alongside roles in several privately held companies. Gill was previously a partner in the Christchurch office of Deloitte for 25 years before embarking on a career in corporate governance.
Bridget Giesen
Director
LLB, BCom, CA, MInstD
Appointed April 2023
Bridget is a strategy and transformation expert with a robust commercial background in airports, airlines, and investment roles, including positions at Ngāi Tahu and NZTE.
She currently serves as a director for Puketeraki Limited and MEA Fragrance. Bridget brings strong financial oversight as a Chartered Accountant and holds an LLB.
Sam MacDonald
Director
BCom, CA, CMInstD
Appointed February 2023
Sam is a second-term City Councillor and brings experience as a chartered accountant in both public and private sectors, serving as a director at Civic Building Limited and an Independent Trustee at Development West Coast.
Sam’s Council focus is on financial oversight and capital program management to enhance investment in Ōtautahi Christchurch communities. He is a Chartered Director with expertise in Audit and Risk, Health and Safety, and Infrastructure projects.
Sara Templeton
Director
BA, GradDipTchg, MInstD
Appointed 2019
First elected as a Christchurch City Councillor in 2016, Sara oversees the Council's Climate Change Portfolio.
Her work focuses on governance (ESG) matters, including gender equality, climate impacts and broader measures of sustainability and social responsibility across the Group.
Management Team
Matthew Slater
Chief Executive Officer
BCom
Matthew brings a finance and investment background from various executive commercial roles at Ravensdown, Ngai Tahu Holdings, Bank of New Zealand and National Australia Bank. Alongside his executive roles he has held various commercial and charitable entity governance roles including as Chair of Neurological Foundation of New Zealand and board roles with Waikato Milking Systems, St Michael’s Church School and various limited partner advisory board roles for NZ and Australian private equity funds.
Steve Ballard
Treasurer
BCA, BA (Hons)
Steve is Group Treasurer at Christchurch City Council and acts as CCHL’s Treasurer under a Service Level Agreement with
Council. He has worked at Council since 2013 and has 30 years’ financial markets experience, having previously worked at Westpac, Transpower, PwC, and the Crown Health Financing Agency.
Appointment Policy
A robust, transparent procedure for the appointment of directors to Council's subsidiary companies is a key element of good governance.
CCHL has developed a policy to address this area, which has been adopted by Christchurch City Council. The policy can be found on the Christchurch City Council web site.