Peter Neilson

Peter Neilson was appointed Chief Executive in April 2004 to spearhead the Business Council's strategic move towards policy development and advocacy work.

The Business Council is known for its work on promoting the use of market instruments to achieve environmental benefits at less cost through its support for the ETS, waste levies, and sustainable procurement.  The more than 50 CEO members of the Business Council have funded research into the ETS, improving the performance of our homes, managing our fresh water, and upgrading the efficiency of our car fleet.  Projects underway include ensuring our transport infrastructure is more sustainable, and examining what the social role of business is and could be.

Peter is a former Cabinet Minister of Revenue, Customs and Works, and was Associate Minister for State‑Owned Enterprises and Finance under the Lange Labour government between 1984 and 1990. Following a period as Leader of the Opposition’s Economic Advisor, Peter moved to private industry. Working initially in corporate finance, Peter then managed a number of international advisory roles, firstly with Ernst and Young (1994-2002) and subsequently with the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research.

His economic consulting experience ranges from energy projects, transport solutions and sustainable forestry to social welfare, student loan schemes, youth employment, and prison reform.

Peter has a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from the University of Auckland and has attended post-graduate courses in corporate finance and strategic management. He is married with two children, and is a passionate thoroughbred racehorse breeder.