News

CEO Report

This past year has been one of growth, inclusiveness, and adaptation positioning us strongly for the future. We have continued to realign and evolve our services to meet the changing needs of our members. Business South is increasingly recognised as a trusted and impactful partner within the regions of Otago and Southland and also across the Business NZ network and beyond.

Our reputation as a modern, progressive and adaptable organisation continues to grow. This being supported by a membership base that values relevance, diversity and solutions tailored to their needs. We have moved to an industry and sector model offering packages of services that meet the needs to these businesses.

Our strategic partnerships have grown both internationally and domestically. We are particularly excited by the deepening ties with China, central and local government and the Southland and Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC). These partnerships are opening doors for collaboration, trade, and knowledge sharing that will drive regional economic growth in the coming years.

Internally, our career pathways offerings has become a central platform for workforce development. With integrated services like My Next Move, 4 Trades, SOREC Academy, and partnerships with Te Puni Kokiri and Young Enterprise Scheme, we are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future workforce of Otago and Southland. The alignment of these services enables us to create tailored, sustainable career pathways for individuals, while ensuring businesses have access to skilled workers.

Taking the time to celebrate the Grand Business South awards was an amazing showcase of the exceptional businesses that we have across Otago and Southland. We were also extremely proud of our Business South Workforce Central Dunedin Ōtepoti team who were the joint recipients of the He Tohu Tangata Tiriti Partnership Award at the KUMA – 2023 Southern Māori Business Network Awards. Looking ahead to 2025, our focus will remain on advocating for policies that foster innovation, sustainable growth, and a robust business environment. We will continue to expand our networking opportunities, resources, and partnerships to ensure our members have the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing economic landscape.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering commitment of our board, our members and partners. Your belief in our mission is what drives us forward, and together we are building a stronger, more resilient business community.

Finally, I want to extend my thanks to the entire team at Business South. Their dedication, creativity, and hard work is enabling our success. I am incredibly proud of all we’ve achieved together and look forward to another year of growth and impact.

And a warm welcome to our new (and re-elected) board members;