Chamber head calls it a day

Helen Down would probably disagree but she can take much of the credit for saving the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce.

In 2010, she was elected as the chamber’s first female president. At the time, the relationship between the chamber and its major funder, the Hutt City Council, was beyond frosty.

In September 2010, it was reported council officers were openly critical and had considered not paying the chamber its grant of $320,000.

Cr Max Shierlaw questioned the effectiveness of the chamber and its future was under threat.

Fast forward six years and the chamber is the biggest in the region and its relationship with the council is flourishing.

In the years Down has been at the helm, it has merged with Upper Hutt and increased membership from a few hundred, many of whom were not financial, to more than 700.

When she took the position she was aware the organisation was in a fragile state.

Having to front the council in such a hostile atmosphere was not easy. Her strategy was to change the thinking around the council grant, so it was no longer seen as a subsidy.

‘‘I wanted it seen as a contract to deliver services so first of all we had to define what those services were,’’ she said.

That resulted in a 32 page contract directly tied to the council’s economic strategy for the city.

By supporting initiatives such as Technology Valley, Business Expo and the council’s drive to boost youth employment, the relationship improved dramatically.

Merging with Upper Hutt was also a major success and having a Valley-wide organisation increased its credibility with central government.

Hutt City Council chief executive Tony Stallinger said Down had made a major contribution supporting local businesses and encouraging jobs.

Chamber boss Mark Futter agreed that Down helped saved the organisation. Not only had she increased its profile and membership but she had restored the relationship with the Hutt City Council. Down will be standing down as president in November.