Charitable trust gets interim manager

Winton-born chartered accountant Denis Woods says he is looking forward to conducting ‘‘business as usual’’ for the Community Trust of Southland.

Woods has been appointed as an interim manager while the trust seeks to replace its longstanding chief executive John Prendergast.

This week, Prendergastsaid he resigned from his open-ended contract last month. The trust resolved unanimously that they wanted him to [resign], Prendergast said, although he did not know why.

Trust chairwoman Margot Hishon refuses to discuss why Prendergast has resigned or the terms left on.

Woods, who has worked for several Southland firms and nonprofit organisations during his career, said he was looking forward to conducting ‘‘business as usual’’ for the trust.

‘‘Through my previous work with [business advisers] McCulloch & Partners, and as a trustee of the Southland Indoor Leisure Centre Charitable Trust and former chair of Sports Southland, I’m already familiar with many of the regional stakeholders,’’ Woods said.

‘‘I’m looking forward to supporting the board in their work with the community, and keeping the ship sailing successfully.’’

Woods was reluctant to speculate on whether he might end up taking the role on permanently.

‘‘At this stage it’s just about familiarising myself with the workings of the trust, and allowing myself and the staff to get to know each other and our roles. I’m here to fill a gap until the trust appoints a new CEO or general manager as they decide.’’

Having just returned from a two-year overseas sabbatical with his wife, the new role had simply been good timing, he said.

He was pleased to be back, with his time abroad offering a fresh perspective on life in New Zealand, he said.