On Friday, our director, Charlotte FitzPatrick, was officially sworn in as a member of the Cambridge Community Board and was nominated as Chair.

This marks the beginning of an exciting new phase of local community engagement for Charlotte, who brings her signature energy, strategic thinking, public relations experience, and deep commitment to Cambridge to the table.

Charlotte has a long-standing interest in shaping the future of Cambridge and the broader Waipā district, having lived in Cambridge since 2009 and been in business here since early 2021. She says it's the place she wants to see her own daughters continue to grow and thrive, and that she wants it to continue being one of the best places in New Zealand to live and do business.

Her nomination as Chair reflects the trust and confidence fellow board members place in her leadership and her readiness to champion the voices of the community.

“I’m a passionate advocate for ensuring community voices are genuinely heard in local government decision-making,” Charlotte says.

“I've previously worked in local government, including at Waipā District Council, have contributed to many different community engagement and consultation programmes, and have learnt how effective community relations works.

"Local government can feel overly complex at times, and many people aren’t sure how to create meaningful change in their town, or to have their ideas and concerns heard. I think we have a fantastic team on the new Community Board to help change that and make meaningful progress," she adds.

Charlotte is eager to get started, listening, leading, and helping guide the direction of key council projects that matter to Cambridge residents.

We’re proud of Charlotte and can’t wait to see the positive impact she’ll make in this new role. Her appointment is not just a personal milestone, but a reflection of Belle PR’s values in action: community, relationships, and courageous leadership.