Richard Thomas Email & Phone Number

New Zealand

Queenstown

Destination Queenstown is the Regional Tourism Organisation responsible for the marketing of Queenstown as the Southern Hemisphere's premier four-season lake and alpine resort. Destination Queenstown is responsible for the branding and positioning of Queenstown. Its mandate is to generically promote the Queenstown District as an international visitor destination through a variety of distribution channels and we act as the neutral co-ordinator of initiatives and campaigns that benefit our members. www.queenstownnz.co.nz/

Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand

In 2007, the Queenstown Lakes District Council recognised an issue in the lack of affordable housing and acted upon it by initiating the formation of the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT). This trust is an independent, not for profit, community owned organisation. While there is a steady stream of people willing to move into the District, an unusually high percentage of these people leave the district after 12-18 months. The reasons cited are usually due to the high living costs, with the largest of those being the cost of housing. QLCHT has a range of housing programmes, each designed to assist eligible low to moderate income households, who contribute to the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of this District and are genuinely struggling to commit to the area because of the housing affordability issue.www.qlcht.org.nz

New Zealland

Unlisted is a prescribed exempt financial product market. The Unlisted Securities Exchange (USX) is a cost-efficient and simple share trading platform for small to medium sized companies to provide liquidity and keep their shareholders informed. We operate several distinct markets for equity and debt securities. Trading in securities quoted on USX can only be undertaken via Brokers who then arrange settlement of the trade. USX was launched in December 2003 originally trading as the Unlisted Securities trading facility using a trading platform developed by M-Co. We went live with two registered brokers and the first trade took place in February 2003. Within a year we had 8 registered brokers trading securities in 21 Issuers. As at October 2019 we have facilitated in excess of 16,500 trades for 295m shares with a value of over $320m. The total market capitalisation has grown to approximately $3b and our issuers have raised over $365m while listed on our market including an IPO.USX is owned and operated by Efficient Market Services Ltd and its shareholders include a number of successful individuals from New Zealand's finance sector. Armillary Private Capital manages the day-to-day operation of USX working with Issuers and Brokers. www.usx.co.nz

Queenstown, New Zealand

Skyline Enterprises Ltd is a listed company on the Unlisted Exchange. It’s a Queenstown-based tourism and entertainment company with operations throughout New Zealand – Rotorua, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Queenstown. It also has businesses in Singapore, Canada and South Korea. Skyline’s portfolio includes accommodation, food and beverage, booking and information centres, casino’s, commercial property, and gondola and luge operations. Prior to being elected a Director in 2007, I spent three years as an Associate Director with the company. www.skylineenterprises.co.nz

Queenstown, New Zealand

Bookme Ltd is a tourism-tech marketing company operating in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. Tourism activities and attractions use the Bookme platform as an online sales and marketing channel and inventory management tool. Similar in nature to Air New Zealand’s Grabaseat, Bookme enables operators to dynamically price and sell inventory. Bookme ranked 149th in the 2015 Deloitte Technology Asia Pacific 500 and placed 25th in the 2015 Deloitte Fast 50. Bookme has partnerships with Air New Zealand, Grabaseat, Vodafone and Jucy Rentals.www.bookme.co.nz

Queenstown, New Zealand

Redwulff is general business consultancy service for SME’s, start-ups and businesses at the early stage of their lifecycle. Redwulff aims to increase business value by tapping into relevant expertise and real experience to deliver clarity, direction and purpose for its clients. Redwulff provides a strong focus on strategy and business planning, branding, sales and marketing, as well as being able to provide access to external specialists in human resources, financial services and health and safety, software.www.redwulff.co.nz

Lower South Island

Ecotech specialises in supplying residential and commercial modular accommodation which are manufactured under the Multipod brand. They offer creative and practical building solutions as an innovative and cost-effective alternative to traditional construction methods.Smart design and careful attention to detail make our modular system technically advanced and robust. Our housing modules are manufactured overseas in a state-of-the art factory to Ecotech’s exact specifications and must meet rigorous quality and safety standards. The modules are specifically designed to be versatile, convenient and progressive.We care about the environment and have taken great care to ensure our modular accommodation is eco-friendly. We use sustainable materials such as steel, concrete, glass and aluminium. Our strong focus and commitment to thermal and energy efficiency means the accommodation requires minimal energy to heat and cool. It also makes for a warm, dry and healthy living environment.www.EcotechModular.com

Wanaka, New Zealand

Snow Sports New Zealand is the national sporting organisation representing the interests of adaptive snow sports, alpine ski racing, cross country skiing, freeskiing and snowboarding. Its mission is to lead and support the success of competitive snow sports in New Zealand. Snow Sports NZ represent the interests of sports nationally and internationally. It is a membership organisation and recognised by Sport NZ the International Ski Federation (FIS), the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Paralympics NZ and other key international snow sports organisations. www.snowsports.co.nz

Queenstown

Totally Tourism is a Queenstown based aviation and adventure tourism company. It offers scenic and adventure activities to both international visitors and domestic travellers. Totally Tourism was established in 1999 and is the umbrella company for a group of tourism operations. These operations include The Helicopter Line, Mitre Peak Cruises, Milford Sound Scenic Flights, Glacier Helicopters, Queenstown Combos, Challenge Rafting, Harris Mountains Heli-Ski, Wanaka Flightseeing, The Station & Totally Tourism Direct booking offices.www.totallytourism.co.nz/

Queenstown

The Queenstown Lakes District Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc is the voice in the community that facilitates and supports business excellence. With a diverse and growing membership of over 550 local businesses, this organisation takes a very active role in the future of Queenstown’s development. The chamber is extremely active in its advocacy role and takes the lead on Queenstown business issues. Projects include: Visitor Levy Proposal, Establishment of the Queenstown Downtown Association, Labour Force Project, Sister City Establishment, and Economic Development. During my tenure on the chamber board I’ve held the positions of board member, deputy chair and have recently been appointed chairperson.www.queenstownchamber.org.nz

Queenstown

Weekly Queenstown newspaper and daily news website.Formally family owned and operated until January 2013. The publication now falls under the ownership of Allied Press who publish The Otago Daily Times and a stable of 10 community newspaper titles throughout the South Island. Mountain Scene’s a Queenstown based newspaper that punches well above its weight. Renowned for its hard-news edge and breaking Queenstown stories of national interest. It’s carved out a well-respected reputation within the media industry over the last 40 years. Arguably the most awarded community newspaper in the country taking out supreme honours in its category at national media awards several times over the past decade.www.scene.co.nz

Tuatapere

The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track is a three day loop walk with the benefits of all the home comforts in its wilderness lodges. It can be either guided or freedom walked. It takes trampers along the scenic South Coast of New Zealand, up to the sub-alpine zone of the Hump Ridge and past historic viaducts in the heart of Fiordland’s native forest. The Hump Ridge Track is a sustainable, responsible and charitable organisation that was built by the Tuatapere community. It’s owned and maintained by the Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust and is the only privately owned track on DOC land in New Zealand. Awarded an Environment Gold Award in 2012 it is one of only two activities in Southland and Fiordland to have attained Environment Gold status.www.humpridgetrack.co.nz

Queenstown

Weekly Queenstown newspaper and daily news website.Formally family owned and operated until January 2013. The publication now falls under the ownership of Allied Press who publish The Otago Daily Times and a stable of 10 community newspaper titles throughout the South Island. Mountain Scene’s a Queenstown based newspaper that punches well above its weight. Renowned for its hard-news edge and breaking Queenstown stories of national interest. It’s carved out a well-respected reputation within the media industry over the last 40 years. Arguably the most awarded community newspaper in the country taking out supreme honours in its category at national media awards several times over the past decade.www.scene.co.nz

The New Zealand Community Newspapers Association Inc is the industry organisation of independent newspapers in New Zealand. It’s responsibility is to foster, promote and safeguard the interests of community newspapers in New Zealand and to improve and regulate conditions and standards in the industry.

Bachelor Of Commerce (B.Com.), Marketing

Education record