New Gore District Council CEO confirmed
The Gore District Council received 74 applications from throughout New Zealand and overseas for the position.
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The Gore District Council has found the person to replace long-standing CEO Stephen Parry.
The Gore council has appointed Deborah Lascelles as its new CEO. She will become just the third Gore council CEO in 35 years.
Lascelles has worked at the South Waikato District Council for the past two years, initially as Group Manager Community and Corporate, and latterly as Executive Manager Strategy and Transformation.
She has also held senior roles with Waipa District Council and Hamilton City Council.
“I am looking forward to getting to know the communities within the district, getting to know staff, and getting stuck into what is shaping up to be a busy time for local government over the next few years.”
Lascelles will move from Hamilton to Gore with her teenage son and take up the role on Monday, June 3.
She will replace Parry who has been in the role for 22 years.
Parry’s final year or so in the job has been a challenging one given his public fallout with Gore Mayor Ben Bell who was elected in October 2022.
The Gore District Council received 74 applications from throughout New Zealand and overseas for the position.
Recruitment agency Brannigans and the Council’s recruitment panel chose five preferred candidates to be interviewed by councillors. The interviews were held in Queenstown.
“When we compared flights, travel, and venue costs between Gore, Invercargill, and Queenstown, the latter was considerably cheaper,” Bell said.
The council’s recruitment panel included Bell, Deputy Mayor Keith Hovell, Cr Neville Phillips (chair), and Cr Andy Fraser.
Bell said the quality of applications was outstanding.
“We were pleasantly surprised with the number of professionals who saw the council as a progressive organisation and Gore as a great place to enjoy a career and lifestyle.”
Lascelles has the experience and skill set to lead the council, he said.
“She is a strategic thinker, skilled at building strong community relationships and leading large teams.
“Coming from a provincial council with strong rural ties makes Debbie a great fit for Gore.”
Despite Bell and Parry’s public working relationship struggles, in a statement Bell acknowledged that Parry’s departure “represented a significant loss in terms of experience and institutional knowledge”.
“He has been an integral part of the organisation for a long time.”