Leading with
Purpose
Key
People
The trustees of Archer Trust, which owns Archer Villages and their Care Homes, play a vital role in providing strategic direction and governance to ensure the trust fulfills its mission of delivering high-quality care and housing for its residents.
Trustees oversee the management of assets, ensure compliance with regulations specific to care homes, and manage financial resources prudently to support the ongoing operations of the villages and care facilities. Additionally, the trustees assess risks, support the management team, and act as advocates for Archer Trust, promoting its services and helping secure funding or partnerships to sustain and enhance its offerings to residents. Their primary responsibility is to act in the best interest of Archer Trust, ensuring it operates effectively, ethically, and sustainably to deliver exceptional care and living environments for its residents.
David Baines
Chair
David Baines, a Chartered Accountant, holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting. He is currently the Chief Executive of Kingdom Resources Ltd and has previously held significant leadership roles, including General Manager at Alliance Group Ltd, Joint General Manager and Director at Porkcorp NZ Ltd, Chief Executive of NZ Pork, and Forensic Accountant at Sedgwick. David’s governance experience includes chairing the Archer Group (from May 2024) and the Upper South Baptist Association, as well as serving as a trustee for the National Building Financial Capability Trust (FinCap). He has also been a Director at Beef & Lamb NZ Inc, a Board Member of the GIA (Government Industry Agreement) Committee, and a Director at CanCern, a community earthquake recovery NPO.
David and his wife Jill are members of Parklands Baptist Community Church, where David has served as an Elder for over 25 years. They have three adult children and eight grandchildren.
Matthew Gray
Deputy Chair
Matthew Gray is a Chartered Professional Engineer specialising in mechanical building services. With 30 years of experience, he has worked on various projects across sectors such as healthcare, retail, industrial, and education. Matthew is a Technical Director at Powell Fenwick Consultants, where he also served as a Director and shareholder for over 25 years. He continues to work part-time in key projects after retiring from his directorship.
Originally from Invercargill, Matthew moved to Christchurch to study engineering at Canterbury University. He and his wife Kathryn, who have been married for 30 years, are members of Wairakei Road Bible Church and have three adult children.
Peter Davidson
Peter Davidson, a professional with a background in manufacturing, has held senior leadership roles in both public and private sectors across New Zealand and Australia. Currently, he runs his own consultancy supporting manufacturing businesses. Peter has a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Peter has extensive experience in church governance, having chaired a large aged care organization in NSW from 2008 to 2014, Windsor Park LifeCare Trust until 2022, and currently chairs the Glenfield Action Trust. Peter and his wife Joanne, members of Windsor Park Baptist Church, have three adult daughters and three grandchildren. They have been foster carers for many years, fostering over 60 babies and young children.
Kevin McDonnell
Kevin McDonnell recently retired as Executive Director of Independent Fisheries Ltd, a private commercial fishing company he was with for over 40 years. During his tenure, Kevin was responsible for finance, administration, and legal matters, helping to lead a team of 300 staff. He currently serves as a director for six private companies, including Independent Holdings Ltd and Independent Producers Ltd, and is a trustee for the NZ Head and Neck Cancer Research Foundation and Te Waiora Christian Trust.
Kevin and his wife Gaye have five adult children and eight grandchildren. They are members of South West Baptist Church and have previously been involved with St Augustine’s Anglican and Opawa Baptist Church, where Kevin served as Treasurer for 20 years. He has also been a Justice of the Peace for the past 28 years.
Dr. Rachelle Martin
Dr. Rachelle Martin is a Senior Lecturer in Rehabilitation at the University of Otago and a dedicated disability researcher. With a background as a neurorehabilitation physiotherapist spanning 25 years, Rachelle has extensive experience working alongside individuals recovering from stroke, brain injury, and spinal cord injury. Her clinical expertise informs her academic work, where she continues to contribute to advancements in rehabilitation and disability research.
Rachelle has been an active member of Ilam Baptist Church since 1991, serving in various leadership roles over the years. Currently, she focuses her contributions on service leading. She is also a member of the Assembly Council of the NZ Baptist Union, where she supports governance and strategic decision-making.
Rachelle is married to Mike, who is the director of a land surveying and development firm. They have two adult children who are currently living abroad in the UK and Japan.
Bradley Nicolson
Bradley Nicolson, a Registered Director NZ IoD, holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Accounting and is a Registered Member. He has served as Treasurer, Trustee, or Director for various Baptist Church boards over the past decade, including Delta, Glenroy, the Baptist Missionary Society, and the Upper South Baptist Association. Bradley currently leads Baptist Resources Ltd, which manages administration, finance, property, and building developments for churches and trusts.
Bradley lives in Christchurch with his wife Priscilla and their daughter, Astrid. They are active members of Oxford Terrace Baptist Community, where Bradley has served as Treasurer for 10 years.
Jennifer Blackler
Jennifer Blackler has been actively involved in leadership and governance roles throughout her work in the not-for-profit sector. She has been a member of the Archer Board since 2013 and is passionate about upholding Archer’s values and helping residents live life to the fullest.
Jennifer and her husband Paul, who have three children, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren, are members of Lincoln Baptist Church, where they lead a life group. Jennifer has also been a Girls’ Brigade officer for 40 years, serving at local, area, and national levels, including on the National Governance Board of Girls’ Brigade New Zealand.
