Keen cyclist to steer region's chamber of commerce

Hawke's Bay businessman Gavin Bush is the new chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Business Hawke's Bay.

Mr Bush joins the chamber with a sound commercial background, having spent 23 years in senior management for the environmental services industry and starting Waste Management NZ's operations in Hawke's Bay.

He has been a director of a joint venture company and also served as a director of a start-up company in Auckland in 2011.

In the past two years, Mr Bush has established his own environmental consultancy firm, Bush Business Management, principally managing projects for EnviroWaste around the North Island, including Wellington and Auckland.

Chamber of Commerce president Katja Williams said she was delighted to welcome Mr Bush to the organisation.

"Gavin comes to the chamber with an exciting background and I'm sure he will continue to grow the chamber and add benefits to the work of Business Hawke's Bay," she said.

Regionally, Mr Bush is well known in his role as chairman of the Hawke's Bay Ramblers Cycling Club. The club is now the largest road race cycling club in the country. "I am passionate about Hawke's Bay and helping businesses to grow and be the best they can be," he said.

He was looking forward to meeting members at chamber events including upcoming Business after 5 events, he said.

Encouraging businesses to re-locate to Hawke's Bay would be a focus for him with Business Hawke's Bay, as well as encouraging the growth of existing local companies.

He has served as chairman for two boards of trustees - Havelock North Primary School and Havelock North High School.

He is married to Sally and they have three children.

He replaces Murray Douglas, who has resigned because of business commitments.

A farewell function will be held for him at the Hawke's Bay Opera House on Thursday.