Marianne Archibald has resigned as chief executive of the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Marianne Archibald has resigned as chief executive of the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Getting to know Whanganui's business community has been "a real honour" for Whanganui Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Marianne Archibald.
But, after nearly three years in the role, Archibald says it's time to move on while she's at the top of her game.
"It's been great - I'veloved it," she said.
"My favourite things have been seeing the incredible businesses in Whanganui and what they are doing. There's a lot of unusual, very exciting, interesting businesses.
"Seeing those businesspeople who are innovative and passionate about what they do. It's a really courageous thing to run your own business. It has been a real honour to work with local businesses."
Since Archibald came on board, the chamber's membership has more than doubled to around 200 members.
"I've grown the chamber and I'm really pleased with what I've achieved," she said.
"When I started I didn't feel I could really sell membership so easily. I have focused on how we provide value and it's been organic growth - people hearing about what we are doing or coming along to events.
"We've got about 200 members now, which is more than 100 more than when I took over, and more than 900 businesses get our newsletters.
"We've seen massive growth in attendance at events. Now we regularly get 40-plus people at a business breakfast where it was 10 to 12 in the past. We're having to change the cafes we use because some of them can't fit us in."
Global connections with chambers around the world was a benefit that businesses may not be aware of. Archibald was able to put a local business owner in contact with the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce for help with labour laws in relation to work they were doing in Australia.
Being a membership-based organisation was a challenge for the chamber, Archibald said.
"It means we aren't a wealthy organisation but it gives a level of validity," she said.
"I'm not holding a gun to their head - people choose to belong and I think that's really important.
"I encourage businesses to join because it's such a great network and people really value the opportunity to celebrate other people's businesses in Whanganui. They're meeting potential customers, suppliers, mentors and peers. People have made some really good connections through our events and training.
The Chamber of Commerce shares the Innovation Quarter on St Hill St.
"There are also lots of discounts with national sponsors for businesses [that belong to the chamber] and their staff."
Archibald loves Whanganui but is frustrated by "a lack of real vision for the future of the district".
"There are massive changes coming and I would love to see Whanganui prepare for those changes," she said.
"I think Whanganui is taking a very ad hoc approach at the moment and addressing issues as they arise instead of looking at what kind of community we want and how we get there.
"I think we have all the elements to really succeed - an amazing community, great businesses, beautiful natural landscape - but we need to prepare and be ready if there's an economic downturn. We need to be prepared to be a resilient community and take care of all the community."
It sounds as if Archibald might be winding up for a tilt at local body politics but she's adamant that's not on her radar.
She's leaving the chamber with no set plan, other than to work in her Waverley garden in the meantime.
Archibald has one child still at school in Whanganui, "so I'll still be around", but she's thinking ahead to opportunities at a national level.
"I want to do something I'm really passionate about and that makes me want to get out of bed in the morning. The chamber has done that but now it's time for something else.
"I feel like I've done this big bit of work that I'm really happy with and now I want to take time to think about what to do next. I'll maybe look at some national-level roles where I can bring my connections and global view."
Archibald finishes with the chamber at the end of August. Sue Stuart has been appointed interim chief executive.
