Joint Deputy Chairs Appointed

Caravan Industry Association of Australia welcomes new and re-appointed office bearers.

At the Caravan Industry Association of Australia National Board meeting held last week, Kate Meldrum (COO of THL Australia) and Nikki Milne (CEO of Tasman Holiday Parks), were newly appointed as joint Deputy Chairs.

This is the first time the National Board has had two individuals share the title, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. The Office-Bearers meet weekly with the CEO to assist in operational matters within the organisation.

Martin Cotterell was re-appointed as Treasurer, while Grant Wilckens had been previously re-elected as Chair by the member state associations at the Annual General Meeting in November.

This was the first opportunity that the National Board has been able to meet face to face since National Conference last year, with a full house bar one (due to WA border restrictions) in attendance. While regular Zoom calls have provided an alternative to meet, the opportunity to discuss and debate current industry issues and organisational strategy in person was both valued and welcomed.

Kate Meldrum

Kate is the COO of Tourism Holdings Australia Pty Ltd, a division of NZX listed, Tourism Holdings Ltd, the largest operator of RV rentals globally.
The Australia business encompasses the Maui, Britz and Mighty RV rental brands, an RV manufacturing business and vehicle sales business. Kate has a strong background in business and people leadership with expertise and experience in international and domestic marketing and sales.

Kate was invited to join the board for an interim period in January 2021 because of her senior role in the rentals sector- a sector under-represented on the board.


She has a Post Grad in Business Admin from Auckland University Business School (NZ), has been a Director on the Board of Conservation Volunteers of NZ and has applied for intake into the Women’s Board Leadership Programme.

With over 20 years in the RV rental industry, and international tourism experience, Kate brings to the board, two sectors that have been under-represented to date.

THL is a global business and THL Australia has a nationally based footprint. As such, Kate brings to the board a view on trends, opportunities and challenges seen globally and has a national perspective when it comes to the success of the industry in Australia.

Nikki Milne

Nikki is recognised as one of the most transformative forces across the holiday park and seniors lifestyle sectors. She is the CEO of Tasman Holiday Parks, an emerging corporate group, with 21 holiday parks across Australia and New Zealand.

Nikki was formerly Chief Operating Officer of Ingenia Communities Group (INA), where she had the primary responsibility of leading the operating business of 750 staff and accelerating the growth of a portfolio of 75 holiday parks and seniors living assets to establish long-term growth and stability.


Nikki brings with her over 20 years in the Holiday Park, Senior’s Living and Retail property sectors.

Combining her excellent leadership abilities with a strong financial and analytical focus, Nikki navigates critical thinking and problem solving through a consumer-centric lens to enhance organisational performance.

Nikki is passionate about consumer and digital marketing, people leadership and development, organization effectiveness and structure. She is focused on creating a sustainable business framework, that inspires people to lead and grow.