Hamilton City manager new Momentum Waikato CEO

Hamilton City Council's Kelvyn Eglinton is the new CEO for Momentum Waikato, taking up the role in March. Photo / Supplied

Momentum Waikato Community Foundation has announced its new CEO is Kelvyn Eglinton, currently Hamilton City Council's general manager city growth.

Mr Eglinton will take up the role at the community foundation in mid-March. Founding chief executive Cheryl Reynolds has left after four years at the helm to establish a new social enterprise.

Momentum Waikato chairman Leonard Gardner says he is grateful Kelvyn is joining the foundation.

"He has a very strong background in community engagement and growth and that, combined with his strategic approach, will drive Momentum Waikato through its next important phase."

Mr Gardner says Mr Eglinton is a strong supporter of the Waikato region, and will be a perfect fit for what is a unique role in New Zealand.

Momentum Waikato Community Foundation is an independent, permanent resource for high-impact philanthropic giving within the Waikato region, linking donors to strategic charitable investments targeted at transformational change.

It is currently convening donations and delivering the new Waikato Regional Theatre, and runs the Vital Impact programme which invests in positive transformational change for current and future generations.

Mr Eglinton, who has held the city growth role at Hamilton City Council for two years, has a strong background in corporate social responsibility in mining in New Zealand and Australasia, and has long-term connections to the Waikato.

"The Momentum CEO role was very attractive because my background is in working across communities and within corporate organisations, particularly around corporate social responsibility," he said. "The Waikato is on the cusp of great things and Momentum Waikato is aligned with many good business people seeking to make the region a better place."

Mr Eglinton says he'll also be looking to work with corporate, iwi and community organisations to benefit the Waikato community.

Mr Eglinton joins the Momentum team in March.

Janice Lapwood will join the team as its development manager in February. Mrs Lapwood comes from a role as the development manager at the University of Waikato Foundation. Mr Gardner says Mr Eglinton and Mrs Lapwood bring a wealth of talent to their roles.

"I'm looking forward to introducing them both to Momentum Waikato's friends and supporters so they can see the passion they'll bring to their roles."