Council announces Interim CEO

General Manager Corporate Support/Chief Financial Officer Lornae Straith has been appointed as interim CEO at the Gore District Council.

Yesterday, the Council appointed Lornae in an in-committee council meeting. She takes up the role on Monday, 13 May, replacing Stephen Parry, who recently announced his early departure from the role.

Ms Straith has worked at the Council for four years and has an extensive financial background. Lornae is no stranger to leadership having held various leadership positions at the University of Otago prior to taking up the role with the Council in 2020.

Ms Straith acknowledges that this is a caretaking role.

“The Council is fortunate to have fantastic staff and a collaborative senior leadership team. Together, we will continue to deliver the Council’s services.”

Gore District Mayor Ben Bell said he was confident in Lornae’s ability to step into this role until Deborah Lascelles takes the reins on 3 June.

“Lornae has been a pivotal part of this organisation through the annual plan and has the leadership skills to get us through this period”

“The Council is grateful to Lornae for taking on the role and is looking forward to working more closely with her over the following weeks.”