Meet our Senior Managers
Hugh Morrison - Chief Executive Officer
As Chief Executive, Hugh's role is to ensure that the Board and management team are aligned on an exciting sustainable strategic direction for the business and then to support all parts of the business to deliver on that strategy. All this to be done in a manner consistent with the guiding Purpose and Values of the Port. Hugh started at Port Nelson in September 2019. With qualifications in civil engineering (BE) and management (MBA), his career has been in construction, infrastructure, and property. This background has enabled Hugh to work in over ten countries including Malaysia, Singapore; Australia; Saudi Arabia; Abu Dhabi; Hong Kong, as well as lead large design, construction, and project management companies in New Zealand and Malaysia. During this time Hugh has been fortunate to have leadership roles in a number of challenging projects including Forsythe Barr Stadium (Dunedin) and Pan Borneo Highway – Sabah (Malaysia). When Hugh's not at work it’s off into the beautiful hills, mountains, and rivers that make up Te Tauihu.
Hamish Manson - Chief Financial Officer
Hamish joined Port Nelson in March 2024 as Chief Financial Officer. Hamish has recently come from a background in helicopter aviation, working for PHI International New Zealand Ltd where he spent 13 years as the company’s CFO. Prior to this, he worked for Solid Energy New Zealand as the Finance Manager in the coal mining industry for 12 years. Originally from Christchurch, Hamish moved to Nelson 13 years ago with his family. Hamish is a Chartered Accountant, a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and a member of INFINZ. In his spare time Hamish enjoys a round of golf and spending time with family and friends.
Matt McDonald - General Manager Operations
Matt joined Port Nelson in 2008 and became General Manager of Operations in 2017. This role has a broad commercial, cargo, and customer focus. Our Marine, Containers, Stevedoring, and QuayPack operational teams report through to him. Matt has bachelor and master’s degrees in civil engineering and has worked in infrastructure business across Australasia and the UK. He returned home to Nelson in 2008 to take up the Infrastructure Manager role at Port Nelson looking after asset management, capital development, property, and environmental management. He held that role for 8 years before moving into the operations role. He is also a director of Nelson Airport.
Lenore Richter - General Manager People and Safety
Lenore joined Port Nelson in June 2022. Prior to that, she worked for a global helicopter transport provider, leading their Human Resources function, with teams across several countries including Australia and New Zealand. Lenore has worked in high-risk industries including aviation and construction in New Zealand, the UK, and Africa. She is well versed in safety management, with a particular interest in the human dimension (fatigue, mental, social, and physiological wellbeing). Lenore has a bachelor’s degree in Social Science and a BAHonours Degree in Industrial Psychology. She settled in Nelson in 2012 and loves living in the region. When not working, Lenore enjoys spending time with her two children, exercising, and playing the piano.
Jaron McLeod - General Manager QuayConnect
Jaron manages the supply chain solutions business unit at Port Nelson. Originally from Christchurch, he moved to Nelson in 2013 where he worked for Sealord initially then for Cold Storage Nelson as the South Island Operations Manager. Jaron joined Port Nelson in 2017 as the Operations Manager of QuayConnect. Jaron has been in the Supply Chain / Third Party Logistics industry for the past 16 years following a 2 Year OE in the UK after graduating University. He has a Bachelor of Science majoring in Zoology from Canterbury University. Jaron has worked in various operational management and business development roles throughout his career, working with some of New Zealand’s leading FMCG businesses.
Colin Devenish - General Manager, Environment, Infrastructure & Maintenance
Colin joined Port Nelson in December 2022. With qualifications in electrical engineering (chartered member with Engineering New Zealand) and management (MBA). Most of his career has been in mining, property, infrastructure, operations, and sustainability (Green Buildings). Colin was a director on the board of the Green Building Council of South Africa. Prior to joining Port Nelson, he had a 4-year stint with a facilities management service provider as the GM responsible for the NZDF portfolio and also spent 9 years at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town as the Operations Executive. Colin has also provided property-related consulting services in India, Poland, Hungary, South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. When not working Colin enjoys running, gardening, road trips and time with the family.