Leadership Team
Our leadership team brings together experience across business, governance, and policy, guiding our advocacy and services to ensure they reflect the real needs of Wellington businesses.
Hayley Horan
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO, Hayley Horan leads the organisation’s strategic direction, member engagement, and policy influence.
Hayley is a seasoned executive with a demonstrated history of bringing together business, government, and education to build more connected and resilient regional economies. Hayley has extensive networks across the Business Central region and has a proven ability to build trusted relationships and push business forward.
Prior to her appointment, Hayley held senior leadership roles at Microsoft and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), including as New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Singapore, where she supported Kiwi businesses to expand into international markets.
Her career spans small business, startups, government, and corporates, including running Turners Auctions in Wellington and playing a significant role in the Z Energy retail transformation project, supporting frontline teams through the transition from Shell to Z.
Neil Finn-House
Chief Commercial & Operating Officer
Neil Finn-House is our Chief Commercial and Operating Officer, leading our work in International Trade, Finance, Operations, IT and commercial partnerships and opportunities.
He brings extensive executive leadership, governance, and membership organisation experience across New Zealand and the UK, having led large teams as both CEO and Board Chair, with a focus on building high-performing, values-driven teams.
Most recently, Neil was Group Chief Executive of Mitre 10 in Dunedin and a senior national leader within the Mitre 10 (NZ) Ltd co-operative. He previously served as Chief Executive of the Arthur Barnett group and Regional Manager for Woolworths franchised supermarkets in the Lower South Island.
Neil also has deep governance experience, including roles as inaugural Board Chair of Business South and Director and Co-Vice President of Business NZ, where he chaired the Finance, Risk, and Audit Committee. He is passionate about helping businesses reach their full potential and building strong, enduring relationships with members.
Amanda Wood
Member Services Manager
Amanda Wood serves as Member Services Manager, leading learning and development, events, international trade, and a number of thought leadership initiatives.
Amanda has over a decade of executive leadership experience and 25 years in business planning, project management, and team development. She has managed complex projects and led teams through change.
She brings leadership experience from a range of organisations, including ANZ, Outward Bound, and the Motor Trade Association. Amanda believes her greatest successes come from collaborating with diverse groups—organisations, government agencies, and communities—to achieve shared goals.
She currently sits on the Industry Stakeholder Group for Hanga-Aro-Rau and is a member of the Women in Automotive Consortium.
Amanda holds a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University and has completed advanced training in negotiation and leadership, as well as The Leadership Mindset Programme through the Auckland School of Business.
Kristy Martin
Corporate Affairs & Advocacy Manager
Kristy Martin is our Corporate Affairs and Advocacy Manager, leading our work in policy, government relations, media engagement and strategic communications.
Kristy brings extensive experience from both the public and private sectors, including senior communications roles at ANZ, Sky TV and major infrastructure projects in the UK. She has also served as Press Secretary to Government Ministers, and the Leader of the Opposition.
Her background spans government, corporate communications and media relations, both in New Zealand and the UK. This broad experience gives Kristy a deep understanding of how government, business and media intersect.
Kristy is passionate about helping businesses have a voice in the issues that matter. She brings sharp insight, strong networks and a practical approach to her work with our members and stakeholders.
Kacie Lewton
Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive
Kacie Lewton serves as Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive, and is essential to ensuring the smooth and efficient running of our organisation.
With over a decade of experience in the legal sector, Kacie brings a calm and diplomatic style to her fast-paced work. Through her experience in senior administrative support roles, she has a deep understanding of what’s needed to keep a busy organisation operating at its best.
Kacie’s professional approach and strong relationship-building skills make her a steady and effective presence, and she is committed to delivering high-quality support across all areas of the business.
Our Board
President of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce
Siah Hwee Ang is Professor of International Business and Strategy and Professorial Chair in Business in Asia at Victoria University of Wellington. He is also the Director of New Zealand’s Southeast Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence. He has been a strong supporter of our Export NZ initiatives.
Before joining Victoria University of Wellington, Siah was Professor and Associate Dean at the University of Auckland Business School and continues to be a Visiting Professor to a few Asian universities.
Chair of Business Central
Greg Pollock has 30 years’ experience in business and leadership roles. He currently runs Agite Consulting in Wellington, a consulting business which specialises in transport, infrastructure and public policy practice and advises clients on how to deliver critical urban development and infrastructure projects.
Greg has had several CEO and C-suite roles in large organisations over the last 12 years, including in professional services and public transport operations. He lives in Wellington and is keen to see a revival in the economic fortunes of the lower North Island and believes the business community has a critical role in leading that revival.
Deputy Chair of Business Central
Jonno Tulitt is Managing Director of Snorkel New Zealand, which was up until recently manufacturing elevated work platforms, but has transitioned to solely distributing and supporting Snorkel products within New Zealand. Jonno currently serves on the Snorkel Board and is a Board Member of the Elevated Work Platform Association (EWPA) of New Zealand.
Jonno started his career in the Royal New Zealand Airforce as a teenager, training and qualifying as an Armament Technician. Following the RNZAF, Jonno moved into the rail sector, first in London as an Operations and Depot Manager, then returning to New Zealand to manage rail operations in Auckland and Wellington. Jonno is excited to share his knowledge of operations and business strategy with the Business Central Board and further complement the great work that is already being undertaken.
Chad Johnston is Managing Director of AV Media, which partners with premium venues across New Zealand to offer seamless execution of conferences and events. Chad was previously the Area General Manager of Rydges Wellington Hotel, having worked with the Rydges brand for over 17 years.
In addition to his current role with Business Central, Chad is also on the board of the Te Awe Wellington Māori Business Network, a non-profit organisation established in 1996 and a key partner of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Wellington Pasifika Business Network, together known as the Power of Three.
Professor Nic Smith is Vice-Chancellor at Victoria University of Wellington. He joined VUW in January 2023 after holding professorial appointments as the Provost at Queensland University of Technology, Dean of Engineering at the University of Auckland, Head of Biomedical Engineering at King's College London, and Professor of Computational Physiology at the University of Oxford.
In addition to these academic leadership roles, Nic has been a director for Auckland Uni Services Limited and Chaired the Business Development and Commercialisation Board for Queensland University of Technology. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of directors and a fellow of the New Zealand Royal Society and Engineering New Zealand.
Jenna Raeburn is GM Corporate Affairs at Wellington Airport. Jenna joined the Wellington Airport team in 2019 and is primarily responsible for regulatory and legal compliance, government and community relations, communications and sustainability.
Her background is in politics with a foundation in law and economics. She also has extensive government relations experience across a range of sectors including transport, technology, e-commerce and infrastructure.
Our Partner Networks
