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 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 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.
Andrew Bascand
Independent Director
Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) Agriculture and Finance
Appointed February 2025
With over 40 years of investment management experience, including roles with the RBNZ, the Bank of England and Merill Lynch, Andrew is a founder, Co-CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Harbour Asset Management. Established in 2009, Harbour is one of New Zealand’s most trusted asset managers.
Andrew is passionate about the opportunity to contribute his extensive asset management experience to a region where he holds deep connections.
Dr Melanie Coker
Director
Bachelor of Science (Hons), PHD
Appointed February 2025
Spreydon Ward Councillor, Dr Melanie Coker was elected to Council in 2019. Melanie is deputy chair of the Council’s Finance Committee and holds a Resource Management Act accreditation. Prior to her election, Melanie also spent 6 years representing Spreydon as a community board member.
Canterbury born and raised, Melanie worked for a decade as a research scientist, before completing her PhD in biochemistry in 2010. She also founded education company AHeadStart Ltd in 2009, to support local students in reaching their academic goals.
Dr Sina Cotter Tait
Independent Director
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Civil), MBA (Dist) and PhD
Appointed March 2025
Drawing on more than 20 years’ experience as a civil engineer, Sina is the founder and director of local engineering consultancy, Collective Success. An alumnus of CCHL’s associate director programme, Sina has extensive governance experience, including current roles on the boards of Te Waihanga, the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust, KiwiRail and Whitestone Contracting Limited.
Sina is also sponsor of the Cotter Tait scholarship for Māori and Pasifika engineering students at the University of Canterbury.
Management Team
Matthew Slater (Chief Executive); Alice Johnson (Portfolio Manager), Paula Davis (Head of Finance), Allanah Kidd (Head of Impact), Sue Taylor (Corporate Services), Steve Ballard (Treasurer)
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.