Paul Coughlan

About Paul

Paul Coughlan has a background in commercial management, financial leadership and strategic planning, with extensive experience across manufacturing, energy and governance. He has been a Member of the Institute of Directors since 2019.

Paul has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Bremca Group since 2013 and as an Executive Director since 2019. Bremca is a significant New Zealand manufacturing business headquartered in Christchurch, with manufacturing branches nationwide.

Prior to joining Bremca, Paul ran his own contracting and consulting business, Insight Management. Before this, he spent 12 years with Solid Energy New Zealand in a range of commercial and financial roles across both coal and renewable energy businesses, following a period living and working in the United Kingdom.

Paul also brings considerable not-for-profit governance and event management experience. He was involved with the Life Education Trust from 2008 to 2014 and, since 2009, has served as Event Director and Trustee of the International Track Meet. This includes his role as a trustee of the charitable International Track & Field Trust and as a director of its operating subsidiary, Track Events Ltd.

His experience brings together commercial and financial management, strategic planning, governance and leadership across both private-sector and not-for-profit organisations.

Based on Business Canterbury's purpose, vision and current strategy, how do you see your skills and experience contributing?

I believe that my background across a diverse range of business types and scale, both in New Zealand and the UK, gives me a very strong understanding of what support, resources, and advice local organisations need from Business Canterbury.

Tell us about your relevant experience, expertise and the skills you would bring to the Board.

I have been involved in commercial and financial evaluation and decision making for businesses in growth phases, retrenchment phases, and everything in between. I've run my own small business, and worked for privately owned SME's, not-for-profit organisations, state-owned enterprises, and major international corporations. I have a particular background in financial planning & budgeting, strategic risk analysis, project feasibility studies, and business integration, as well as several years of governance experience.

Why are you interested in joining Business Canterbury's Board?

I believe that Business Canterbury has a huge role to play in providing the tools and framework for organisations in this region to grow and succeed, and to help the region as a whole do the same. I also feel I have a lot to offer in facilitating the direction and support provided to those businesses and organisations.