SWIFT Chief Executive Clive Somerville is one of only nine recipients of the distinguished Winston Churchill Fellowship for 2026, administered by the Department of Internal Affairs.
The fellowship will enable him to travel to Europe in 2026 to visit communities that have reinvented themselves following the decline of traditional industries.
Reflecting on the win, Clive says, “I’m grateful for this opportunity – it's affirming of the mahi we’re doing here at SWIFT, to ensure South Waikato continues to thrive despite the tough economic conditions experienced in recent years.”
Clive will visit Ruhr Valley in Germany, the Basque Country in Spain and rural Ireland - all regions built on traditional industries that have reinvented themselves against the odds. He will meet with some of the leading minds responsible for their communities’ regeneration.
Clive says, “The communities I’ll visit give me great hope. I’m looking forward to bringing back some fresh perspectives on what we could achieve here in South Waikato.
“One of the towns I’ll visit is Skibbereen, Ireland, where an old steam mill is being transformed into a living museum and business hub, showing how history and the modern economy can coexist. I believe there are lessons here for towns like Tokoroa, where our own timber legacy could underpin new forms of enterprise.
“Sligo, in the north-west of Ireland, is also on my itinerary, having transformed from a traditional fishing town into a bustling economic and tourism hub. Sligo is particularly fascinating to me because its reinvention honours its past and natural environment but is also the result of very focused investment in new industry, namely technology and pharmaceuticals. By going hard and fast with digital infrastructure, then developing business parks and educational institutions with a clear focus on these industries, Sligo has been able attract multinational companies to set up operations in the region, massively boosting the employment opportunities.
“Sligo is also using its maritime heritage and coastal environment to great advantage, with the likes of a large-scale community boat park offering fishing and sailing opportunities for tourists.
“It’s food for thought. Here in South Waikato, we might not have the seaside, but we are blessed with great lakes and forests and a long, rich history in timber and we should use all of this to our advantage.
“Every place I’ll visit has a distinctive story, and each community also shares a fierce sense of determination that was harnessed by leaders who confidently charted a new course. I have no doubt the South Waikato is one of these communities.”
