New Clutha District Council manager Jill Borland began her role this week and says she has much to learn in the job.
Ms Borland has been appointed to a 15-month fixed-term contract, while the council reviews its district development activities.
A Southlander by birth, Ms Borland spent much of her childhood and early working years in Otago before moving to Christchurch where she worked in management, marketing, business consultancy, education and hospitality.
Her qualifications include a bachelor of arts degree and graduate diplomas in event management and marketing.
"I decided I was a developer. I've always been involved with developing people, businesses and communities. It's a role that's going to pull together the breadth of experience I've had in my working life."
Ms Borland also represented New Zealand in ice-skating as both a coach and a skater.
She began ice-skating at 16 and later coached skaters to junior world level. She was also selected for the New Zealand synchronised skating team last year but had to withdraw for family reasons.
Her husband, Darryn Wood, and daughter moved to Balclutha on Thursday.
Ms Borland fills the vacancy created by Julie Pearse, who left the council in February.
