New Business South chief executive

A chief executive has been appointed for the recently merged Otago Chamber of Commerce and Otago Southland Employers Association. Michael Collins was announced as the inaugural chief executive of Business South yesterday. Collins was most recently Southern District Health Board executive director people, culture and technology and an Otago Polytechnic board member. Business South board of directors chairman Neil Finn-House said it had been an extensive recruitment campaign. ‘‘The transitional board is delighted to secure such a high calibre appointment.’’ Collins will take up his post in August.