Meet our Senior Managers
Matt McDonald - Chief Executive Officer
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. Matt assumed his new role as Chief Executive Officer in November 2024.
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.
Paul Williams - General Manager Operations
Paul joined Port Nelson in 2022 and was appointed General Manager – Operations in January 2025. He is responsible for all operational activities, including Marine, Stevedoring, Terminal Operations, and QuayPack. Originally from Taranaki, Paul has dedicated his career to the ports and logistics industry, beginning at Blue Star Line before holding key roles at Maersk, APM Terminals, Fonterra, and Lyttelton Port. He holds a Bachelor of Business Studies majoring in Finance and a Diploma in Port Management. Outside of work, Paul enjoys growing fruit trees in Nelson’s exceptional climate, riding his motorbike, and spending time with his family.
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.
Andrew James - General Manager Environment, Infrastructure and Maintenance
Andrew joined Port Nelson in April 2025. He is responsible for managing and maintaining all new and existing plant and infrastructure, and developing and delivering the Port's Environment strategy. Andrew has been settled in Nelson since 2001. He is a Chartered Professional Engineer and most recently worked with a local consultancy. Prior to that, Andrew spent ten years with the New Zealand Transport Agency managing and maintaining our regional State Highway network, ten years with Nelson City Council and ten years in Ireland and the UK on a broad range of civil and structural engineering projects. Andrew enjoys tramping, swimming, and spending time with family in Marahau.
Jaron McLeod - General Manager QuayConnect
Jaron is the General Manager of QuayConnect, the supply chain solutions business unit at Port Nelson. Originally from Christchurch, he moved to Nelson in 2013 where he worked for Sealord followed by Cold Storage Nelson. Jaron joined Port Nelson in 2017 and has led the QuayConnect business through a significant period of growth since becoming General Manager in 2020. Jaron has been in the Supply Chain / Third Party Logistics industry for the past 20 years, following a 2 Year OE in the UK after graduating from University. He has a Bachelor of Science majoring in Zoology from Canterbury University. Jaron has worked in various management roles throughout his career, working with some of New Zealand’s leading FMCG businesses. He loves spending time with his wife and two girls exploring the magnificent top of the South Island.
Reagan Pattison - General Manager Business Transformation
Reagan joined Port Nelson in 2016 and was appointed General Manager Business Transformation in May 2024. Responsible for developing and delivering a transformation strategy and road map that aligns to Port Nelson’s overall strategic objectives, encouraging a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and facilitating project and change management, Reagan is supported by a technology team that maintains an in-depth understanding of current and emerging technologies while ensuring Port Nelson’s ICT environment is fit for purpose, well maintained, and governed. Prior to joining Port Nelson, Reagan had over 20 years of experience in financial services, working in a variety of banking roles in the UK and New Zealand, developing skills in technology, process improvement – Six Sigma, operations, and strategy.
