Update – 17 January 2024 | This story has been updated with the announcement of an Acting Group Chief Financial Officer
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Auckland Council’s Group Chief Financial Officer Peter Gudsell has announced his departure from the organisation after three years in the job, heading for a new role in the private sector.
“It is with mixed feelings that I have decided to leave the Auckland Council and my role as Group Chief Financial Officer,” says Mr Gudsell.
“I am grateful and proud to have had the opportunity to be part of what the council has achieved, particularly over the last three years when Covid, weather events, climate impacts, and a rollercoaster ride of interest, inflation and budget pressures have thrown so much at us.
“I’m particularly proud to have been part of an amazingly talented finance team and an excellent executive leadership team, and I leave knowing that our council is in great hands.
“What stands out for me, above all, is that our kaimahi are passionate, caring and committed to doing the right thing for Tāmaki Makaurau, and for all Aucklanders – what we do matters,” he says.
Mr Gudsell will leave the council at the end of February 2024, after he and his team has delivered the council’s 10-year Budget consultation document. He takes up a new role as Chief Financial Officer at Southern Cross Healthcare in March 2024.
“Three years at this council, six years in local government, and ten years in total in the public sector, has been a challenge and a privilege. I’m excited to step into another sector and challenge myself with making a difference somewhere else.
“I’m departing at an important milestone in the long-term planning process, but what I hope is a good time for someone else to come in,” says Mr Gudsell.
Chief Executive Phil Wilson acknowledges Mr Gudsell’s contribution to the Auckland Council Group.
“Being the CFO of the largest council group in Australasia is perhaps one of the most complex and challenging executive roles in local government and Peter has given it his all.
“He has led an award-winning team of talented finance experts to deliver budgets, savings targets and innovative initiatives, like our sustainable finance programmes, through one of the toughest periods this council has faced.
“Peter and his team have consistently achieved high credit ratings, met our external audit expectations and our obligations as a publicly listed organisation – no mean feat when dealing with budget gaps and our own high standards when it comes to financial prudence.
“On behalf of us all, I wish him the very best as he embarks on a new chapter in his career and thank him for his service to the financial stability of Tāmaki Makaurau. Ngā mihi maioha Peter, mā te wa,” says Mr Wilson.
The process to appoint an interim Group Chief Financial Officer will begin shortly.
Acting Group Chief Financial Officer announced
Nicola Mills will take on the role of Acting Group Chief Financial Officer at Auckland Council when outgoing Group CFO Peter Gudsell departs in late February.
Ms Mills is currently General Manager Financial and Business Performance and has been with the council since May 2016.
