Meet the Heart of the City Executive Committee
The Heart of the City Executive Committee consists of up to 11 voting members who either work or own a business located within our boundaries, along with a representative from the Waitemata Local Board. The role of the Executive Committee is to govern the strategic direction of Heart of the City as outlined in our Constitution. The Executive Committee is elected at our Annual General Meeting (AGM), which members are invited to attend.
The Executive Committee meets every six weeks. Contact [email protected] to communicate with the Executive Committee.
Heart of the City Executive Committee
Malcolm McCracken (Chair)
As Chair of Heart of the City, Malcolm McCracken leads the governing body of a Business Improvement District that services 15,500 businesses, more than 150,000 workers, and generates around 20% of Auckland’s GDP.
Malcolm has a strong connection to the Auckland city centre, spanning nearly a decade and across a range of professional roles and personal commitments. Amongst other roles, he is currently a manager at a KPMG in infrastructure advisory, and was recently appointed by Cabinet to a significant decision-making body on the future of the wider Auckland city.
He is in the central city almost daily, which provides him with real-time experience of the opportunities and challenges faced by the Heart of the City area, which covers Wynyard Quarter, the Viaduct, Commercial Bay, Britomart, Queen St, the High St district, the Skytower precinct and Victoria Park.
As a result, he brings to the table strong relationships with businesses, decision-makers, and those who use the central city on a regular basis, including workers and residents.
He approaches this role with the belief that Auckland is on the cusp of the transition into a major global city, and that the central city, as the economic engine of Auckland, is poised to both lead that transition, and benefit significantly from it.
Richard Hanson
Richard is Managing Director of Tourism Retail business Aotea Gifts. He holds a Masters of Commerce and has a background in business, finance and property investment. Prior to his role with Aotea Gifts, Richard spent 14 years creating and delivering large scale land and tourism projects.
Callum Mallet
Callum is COO for SkyCity’s New Zealand and Australian operations, with extensive experience in gaming and hospitality. He has held senior leadership roles across hotels, conventions, and entertainment, and studied governance and hospitality management at Cornell University, London Business School, the University of Nevada and the Directors Institute of NZ. Callum also serves on the Tourism Industry Association NZ board. With the NZICC opening in early 2026, Callum is determined to help the city centre reap the benefits.
Les Morgan
Les is the Chief Operating Officer of Hind Management.
The group’s national hotel portfolio includes a flagship property within the Heart of the City business district. Les has held numerous governance roles and has frequently been recognised with national awards for leadership in business, tourism and hotels.
Dr. John Peebles
Dr. Peebles is a company director and governance advisor. John has served on public, private and not-for-profit boards, is the current Chair of a retirement village group, a director of Recycling Oceania, Chair of a waste business and a manufacturing exporter. John recognises that Heart of the City has a critical role to play in the period ahead, ensuring the city centre is regenerated for business and investment growth.
Chand Sahrawat
Previous board member of HOTC and Ponsonby Business Association. Director and operator of Cassia restaurant The French Cafe and Kol in Auckland. Chand has 15 years plus in hospitality currently working as operations and marketing manager of Vittoria Food and Beverage for NZ.
Chamanthie Sinhalage-Fonseka
Chamanthie Sinhalage-Fonseka is the Principal at Fonseka PR and an experienced public relations consultant. She has advised major international companies in PR matters and handled some of the most complex and high-profile PR issues faced by the New Zealand private and public sectors in recent years.
She works closely with the leaders, executives and boards of leading Kiwi and international businesses to advise on strategic direction, reputation and influence in increasingly complex economic and regulatory environments.
She also writes on PR issues for prestige business publication, BusinessDesk, and often features as a commentator on TV, radio, web and print news media.
Outside of her working life, she is also involved in a range of nonprofit organisations based in the central city area.
Having lived in central cities for most of her life, she is an advocate for the critical role that a thriving central city plays in attracting talent, innovation and creativity necessary for the economic health and liveability for a city.
Brett Sweetman
Brett has been the General Manager of the Park Hyatt, Auckland since it opened in 2020. Prior to this role, he worked for various Hyatt Hotels for 19 years, including Dubai and Melbourne. He was also General Manager for the latter, prior to his move to Auckland. He would like to assist in making the city centre a destination for locals and tourists.
Joe Tattersfield
Joe has been involved in Queen St since his early 20s working late night Fridays at Walker And Hall on the corner of Queen and Fort St. At one stage, Walker And Hall had five stores on Queen St. As managing director of Walker And Hall, he is committed to making Queen St and the heart of the city the best possible place it can be for all stakeholders. His primary focus is to provide an environment where people feel welcomed, with exciting, enriching activities.
