The Greater Wellington Region’s economic agency WREDA has appointed a new leader to begin in April of the new year.
Lance Walker, current chief executive of Cigna Insurance, will take up the reins at the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency.
He will take over from interim chief executive Derek Fry, who has been holding the fort since former chief executive Chris Whelan departed in May.
The agency was placed under scrutiny by its majority owner, Wellington City Council, when it called on WREDA to lay out a clearer plan for growing the local economy and give the city more return for its $15million investment.
Kāpiti and other Councils who collectively contribute millions to WREDA will also be taking an active interest.
Mr Walker, who is also the former chief executive of Loyalty New Zealand, says he is looking forward to taking up his new role.
“As someone who has lived and worked in the Wellington region all my life I’m a huge advocate for this place, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to lead an organisation which is focussed on helping the region to unlock its human and economic potential.”
Wreda has also recently appointed new board members in Tracey Bridges, Wayne Mulligan and Kylie Archer, who will each be paid $25,000 a year.
