As planning and preparation activity continues to grow, so too does the RNZ 2011 team at both Board and management levels. Following his retirement as CEO of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Chris Moller stood down as one of the two NZRU representatives on the RNZ 2011 Ltd Board and was replaced in February by his successor as NZRU CEO, Steve Tew.
However, Mr Moller’s absence from the Board table was brief. In March, the RNZ 2011 Board was expanded with the addition of one additional representative from each of the shareholders – the Crown and NZRU. Mr Moller was appointed as the NZRU representative and Tim Robinson as the Government representative.
In June, RNZ 2011 also welcomed Shane Harmon to the newly-created position of General Manager, Marketing and Communications. In this role, Shane will be responsible for all marketing, communications, ticketing, brand, VIP and events and ceremonies activity. Originally from Ireland, Shane has relocated from Australia where he has been living and working since 1995 having held a range of senior marketing and management positions.
Shane worked for the Australian Rugby Union from 2002 to 2007 and was Head of Marketing for RWC 2003. In 2004, he became the ARU’s General Manager Marketing. Prior to working with rugby, he worked in marketing for Citibank then AFL club, the Sydney Swans. Prior to joining RNZ 2011, Shane was a sales and marketing director for the Bavarian Hospitality Group.
Martin Snedden said Shane’s experience was particularly valuable for the 2011 Tournament as many of the challenges that the ARU faced leading up to RWC 2003
are present in New Zealand. “We all have a positive view of how the ARU pulled together an excellent RWC in 2003 but it’s easy to forget that rugby is not such a dominant sport in Australia and at that time had virtually no following in some states. The ARU spread its RWC around the country, captured nationwide interest and ended up selling two million match tickets, which was a great effort. Shane was a key player and a leader in the marketing and ticketing of that tournament and his experience and acumen will be a vital asset to our organisation.”
Also joining the organisation in June is HR Manager Deborah Jones. Deborah has been an HR consultant with legal firm Minter Ellison based in Wellington. She has had a long and broad history in the area of HR including many roles as an HR Manager or advisor to large and start-up clients in her time with Minter Ellison, and previously in organisations such as Honda NZ.
Deborah will be responsible for all aspects of the HR function including performance management, remuneration systems, recruitment, resource planning, and HR strategy.
