ABA - Albany Business Association

The Albany Business Association is pleased to announce the appointment of former North Shore City Councillor, Gary Holmes, as the organisation’s new General Manager.

Gary Holmes brings a wealth of experience to the role and will play a critical role in the future growth and development of the Association as it enters new and challenging times ahead.
Having served as a city councillor representing the Albany and East Coast Bays for nine years, Mr. Holmes offers extensive local knowledge, energy and commitment to helping the Association now that it has become a council-supported Business Improvement District, Mr. Pearson said.

Mr. Holmes, who has a background in sales, marketing and public relations, says he is looking forward to the opportunity of helping the Albany Business District continue to grow and become the pre-eminent business district on the North Shore.

“One of the major challenges facing the Albany business area relates to the whole transport issue, particularly the possibility of Transit closing off the Paul Matthews Rd at the Upper Harbour Highway connection, Mr. Holmes said. “I believe it will be important to ensure that the view of businesses in the area is communicated forcefully to the local council and various government agencies on this issue”.

Mr. Holmes says he is also looking forward to working with local businesses to enhance the profile of the area, and work on business development and attracting new businesses to the area, as well as continuing work on crime prevention.
The Albany Business Association at its recent AGM elected Gray Pearson, Principal Officer of Premium Commercial Real Estate, as its new chair. Five new committee members were elected: Graham Boult, Wendy Auger, Kevin Moore, Richard Ede and Geoff Bonham, while Geoff Ashenden, Warren Kitchin, Pamela Peryman, Les Probert and Michael Whybro were all re-elected to serve a further term.

At the AGM, special thanks were given to two retiring executive members, chair Matthew Bellingham and Executive Officer Peter Reid. Mr Bellingham has stepped down after leading ABA for the past five years as its chair, and Peter Reid is leaving his position as Executive Officer to take up a new business opportunity in the Albany Basin. Particular thanks must go to these gentlemen for their leadership and hard work in guiding the Association as it went through the process of becoming a BID.

Contact details for Gary Holmes are (09) 968-2222 (office), 0274 966283 (mobile) or gm@albanybusiness.org.nz