Our Board Members

Venus Guy, Chair

Venus is an experienced governance leader and Chair, with over a decade of senior leadership across the public, private, and for-purpose sectors. With a strong foundation in FMCG retail, compliance, and business operations, she brings both commercial acumen and a deep commitment to community outcomes.

After 12 years in the retail industry, Venus moved into public service as Electorate Manager for the Nelson electorate during the 2023 General Election, leading the delivery of a complex, high-integrity electoral process. She is currently the General Manager of Cancer Society Nelson Tasman, providing strategic and operational leadership to support individuals and their whānau impacted by cancer. Alongside her executive role, Venus serves as Chair of the Institute of Directors (Nelson Marlborough branch) and Tasman Bays Heritage Trust, is a board member of New Zealand Kindergartens, and has recently been appointed to the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce national board and the IoD National Council. Her governance experience spans business, education, heritage, and the not-for-profit sector, with a strong focus on strategy, performance, risk, and stakeholder engagement. As a Chair, she fosters inclusive, well-tested decision-making and keeps boards focused on long-term outcomes.

Venus is committed to sustainable growth, continuous improvement, and developing people and organisations. She also serves her community as a Justice of the Peace.

Manoli Aerakis, Deputy Chair

Having a business based in Nelson and living in Mapua, Manoli sees the enormous benefit that business vitality brings to the region and the importance of having businesses thrive, who in turn contribute to the community in various ways. He says, "The chamber plays such an important role in both business advocacy and connecting businesses, which means the work that the board and the team do is pivotal to keeping business vitality going". He loves being a member of the Chamber and became Vice President in April 2020. 

Peter Pattullo, Past Chair

After growing up in the North Island but travelling widely and attending university in the South Island, it was not a difficult decision for Peter to shift here over 20 years ago with a young and growing family. He feels very lucky to call Nelson home with all the great things the region offers and the wholesome environment for raising a family. Over the years, and still today, Peter has been heavily involved with a range of small businesses and today owns and runs the Smokehouse.

Peter has been active in the Chamber for many years now and enjoys sitting on the board, contributing and helping at every opportunity.  He enjoys being associated with a 'fantastic Chamber team' and interacting with all of our wide, varied and valuable stakeholders.

 

Sharon McGuire

Sharon is a professional director, currently contracts to ASURE Accommodation Group as their national Business Development & Quality Manager, is Chair of the NRDA Steering Group for Sporting, Professional, Incentive, Conference and Events (S.P.I.C.E), a member of IOD and of SKAL Te Tauihu.  Previous roles include BNZ Chairperson Top of the South, Trustee for Brook Waimarama Sanctuary and senior executive roles with a demonstrated history of working in the tourism, commerce and education sectors. She is skilled in strategic and business planning, relationship and stakeholder management, service excellence, and advocacy work with local and central government. She is a great supporter of community organisations and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow for services to Rotary and the wider community.

Richard Butler

Richard moved to the Nelson region in 2002 from the UK after a background of IT team leadership for the world’s largest commercial law firm. He has successfully started and run four businesses in Nelson: two in the tech industry, one in property investment, and another as a professional coach. He is a member of the Institute of Directors, and a Chamber member through two of his businesses.  Richard is a connector who loves to put people together.

His IT firm is a significant sponsor of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Safeguarding Children and Nelson Tasman Hospice.

Alfredo Puche

As a board member, Alfredo is able to offer more than 20 years of business ownership and management experience in multiple countries and global markets.  

He considers his biggest achievement to be the creation and development of an international renewable energy company based in Spain, starting with €6,000 capital and reaching €380 million annual revenue with 1,500 employees. He has worked in many disciplines including engineering, R&D, production, sales, purchasing, HR, quality control and IT and has held board positions for more than 20 years. 

In 2021 he began his role as owner of The Alternative Board New Zealand where he continues to pursue his passion for helping other SME business owners to develop their businesses while achieving their personal goals. 

Danielle Martel

Danielle is the CEO of local marketing agency Keetrax. After living and working abroad for 12 years, she moved with family to Nelson in 2016 and later to Māpua. She is also vice chair of the Māpua District Business Association, and plays an active, hands-on role in connecting local businesses.

Danielle believes in the power of regional business networks and connections to create successful new opportunities in the region. She brings her communications, marketing know-how and experience with the problems growing businesses face to the NTCC board.

Lee Wood

Lee is a highly skilled CEO with over 25 years experience in Manufacturing, Defence, Oil & Gas & Mining across the UK, Australia and New Zealand. His strong strategic vision, unyielding commitment to excellence and financial acumen have seen Lee work across all areas of business in small to medium-sized enterprises up to multi-national companies holding directorships in both the UK and Australia.

Lee brings his experience in leading large, successful teams, and a belief in investing in people and delivering organisational and cultural change. His extensive international experience, knowledge of large complex projects and businesses and his drive and commitment to support people, business and innovation in the region make him a valuable director on the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce board.