New management team for Vbase

Details of the new management structure of Christchurch venue operator Vbase have been released.

The company, forced to downsize as a result of losses and the effects of the 22nd February earthquake, has also revealed the timeline for appointing and inducting its new General Manager. 

Vbase now comprises 67 full time equivalent staff, of which 54 are full time positions. With Council assuming governance and management control the current Board, Chief Executive and five senior management positions are redundant and all will be formally exiting the business by 29th July 2011. 

Leading the Vbase management team will be the holder of the new position of Vbase General Manager. The role oversees venue business development and event management and reports to Council General Manager, Community Services Michael Aitken. 

Vbase General Manager recruitment commenced on Saturday, 25th June with applications closing on 6th July. An appointment is expected to be made by 29th July 2011 and Bryan Pearson, Chief Executive and the outgoing senior management team committed to supporting a full induction and transition for the successful candidate. 

With the Pearson and other senior managers leaving the business, the newVbase management team is confirmed as follows: 

• Membership and Marketing Manager, Simon Carter
• Account and Business Development Manager, Ticketed Events, Turlough Carolan
• Business Development Manager, National, Catherine Lee
• Business Development Manager, National, Janelle Brooking
• Event Planning Manager, Stacey Gavin
• Event Operations Manager, Peter Maddock
• Executive Chef, Daniel Shanks
• Food and Beverage Operations Manager, Paul Marquardt. 

Russell Kenny, General Manager, Vbase Catering, remains in his role and Vbase' s strategic partnership with Spotless Services NZ continues. Kenny will work closely with the Vbase General Manager and management team to deliver Vbase Catering in addition to The Tuck Shop Cafe at CBS Canterbury Arena. Dan Shanks and Paul Marquardt report to Russell Kenny. 

Hayley Stevens, Business Development Manager, International and Helen Glengarry, Business Development Manager, Ticketed Events have both chosen to leave the business. 

Stevens has accepted an opportunity in the international conference and incentive market based while Glengarry is looking at opportunities outside of Christchurch. 

Vbase Technical Services will now be provided through Shipley’s Audiovisual. The Vbase and Shipley’s strategic partnership and embedded outsourcing model for technical services is based on the successful catering services partnership between Spotless and Vbase. Mark Meyer has been appointed to the new position of Technical/IT Coordinator to provide the link between Vbase and Shipley's. 

Facilities Management, Human Resources, Finance and Administration, IT and Rebuild Capital Projects, will be functionally integrated into Christchurch City Council from 1st August and these services provided to Vbase under a management contract. 

The current Vbase management involved in providing these services will continue and are confirmed as follows:

• Management Accountant, Cathy Moran
• Project Manager, Assets and Facilities, James Brooks
• Facilities Manager, CCC/CTH/CBS, Andy Granger
• Facilities Manager, AMI Stadium, Toni Jones 
• HR/IT Group Administration, Lyn Wright.

18th June 2011 - VBASE DOWNSIZES: CUTS 151 JOBS 

11th April 2011 - VBASE’S PLANS TO BRING CHRISTCHURCH VENUES ‘BACK TO LIFE’ 

7th March 2011 - BLEAK OUTLOOK FOR CHRISTCHURCH’S QEII PARK COMPLEX

22nd February 2011 - TRAGEDY AS 6.3 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE HITS CHRISTCHURCH