Meet the Team
Nigel Davenport
Chief Executive nigel@venturetimaru.nz
Nigel has over 35 years’ experience in the financial services sector and brings a varied set of business skills, knowledge, and networks to the role of Chief Executive of Venture Timaru. Having first-hand experience as a business owner through to various governance roles and involvement with a number of community organisations enables Nigel to fully understand the challenges and opportunities facing new and existing local businesses.
He currently serves as a board member on Sport Canterbury and Economic Development New Zealand. He is a Trustee of the Aoraki MRI Trust and serves as a Management Committee Member for the Canterbury Tactix.
A born and bred parochial South Cantabrian he is passionate about the region and doing what he can to make this an even better place to visit, live and do business.
Di Hay
Operations & Destination Manager di@venturetimaru.nz
With a background in communications and marketing, Di has worked in print and radio journalism, public relations, marketing and on-air presenting for commercial radio. She has also been involved in establishing and running two retail businesses, and a wholesale business specialising in importing goods.
Di holds a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies from Massey University. She is a trustee for Regional Tourism New Zealand and the Mid and South Canterbury Community Trust and a board member for the South Island Masters Games.
Alice Gray
Finance Manager, BCA, CA alice@venturetimaru.nz
Alice has been an accountant since 1978 and enjoys working with clients to provide timely advice. Previously, Alice tutored Business Studies at the local polytechnic for approximately 20 years, heading the department in latter years. She thoroughly enjoyed passing on her extensive knowledge of Business Studies.
Alice specialises in accounting, tax and small business profitability.
Grace Apperley
Graphic Designer grace@venturetimaru.nz
Grace has a background in design, graduating from Massey University Wellington in 2023. Studying a Bachelor of Design with Honors majoring in spatial design, it gave her skills in spatial design, visual communication and graphic design.
This is the first big step into her design career. Grace is passionate about supporting the local community and looks forward to showcasing all the wonderful opportunities this region has to offer.
Liam Brown
My Next Move Vocational Coordinator liam@venturetimaru.nz
Liam has a background in sports management and sports science, graduating from the University of Otago in 2020. Previously he was working for the Graeme Dingle Foundation as a Kiwi Can programme leader, teaching value-based learning lessons to primary school students.
Liam completed his secondary schooling in the North Canterbury town of Culverden before moving to Dunedin for tertiary study. He now calls Timaru home.
His passion outside of work is football which he both plays and coaches a for West End Football Club.
Samantha Shields
Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive / Business Support Officer samantha@venturetimaru.nz
Samantha spent six years working as a personal assistant at an accounting firm in Ashburton. After making the move to South Canterbury, she spent three years as an independent contractor helping small businesses with their bookkeeping and admin needs.
In her free time she loves exploring what the region has to offer with her husband and two young children.
Tania Stoddart
Business Development Manager tania@venturetimaru.nz
Tania has more than 20 years’ experience in leading business transformation through customer centric strategic planning and execution. She brings a wide skillset to the team across sales and marketing, communications and engagement, and operations.
Her knowledge of local and national retail saw Tania successfully lead a campaign for the implementation of a Business Improvement District that aims to support and enhance the economic success of Timaru’s CBD.
Tania Is looking forward to promoting and facilitating business opportunities for our district and supporting an aspirational future for everyone who calls Timaru home.”
Promil Sharma
Tourism Marketing & Engagement Manager promil@venturetimaru.nz
Promil came to New Zealand in 2016 and earned a Post Graduate Diploma in International Tourism Management from AUT. Having grown up in India, he was fortunate to also spend time in the Philippines and the US.
Travel to various beautiful countries made Promil aware of the psychology of the global citizen, and while on the go he gained the knowledge of different cultures and practices. Promil brings a blend of public and private sector experience with a strong leadership background in customer service, travel and tourism, project management, business and community engagement.
When not working he enjoys exploring and being close to the nature - be that in the tussock covered high country, in a rainforest or on a remote beach.