Local Restaurateur Kirsten Pitman Appointed New Deputy Chair

Local restaurateur Kirsten Pitman has been appointed as the new Deputy Chair of Business Victor Harbor.

Kirsten Pitman, Owner Nino’s Cafe & Loco Mexican

Kirsten is the co-owner of multi-award winning restaurants Ninos and Locos Victor Harbor over three locations and has been an active and passionate member of the south coast business community for many years. She has been successfully running restaurant businesses for over 20 years alongside her husband and business partner Simon whilst being a mum to three children.

In her recent role as a board member for Business Victor Harbor she has been a driving force behind the ‘Victor Harbor Place Brand Review’ (otherwise known as ‘Breathe Victor’) – a dynamic business led initiative and roadmap to reposition the Victor Harbor brand. The destination branding project is being managed in partnership with the City of Victor Harbor and represents a business led vision for a more relevant and engaging regional brand that is backed by industry.

Kirsten is also very passionate about regional training and education, in particular, encouraging local school leavers to consider pursuing a skilled trade across industries.

“I’m excited to have been appointed as the new Deputy Chair of Business Victor Harbor. Victor Harbor has many strengths and I hope that in my role as Deputy Chair, I can bring these to the forefront,” said Kirsten Pitman.

“The south coast business community will play an integral role in the Victor Harbor Place Brand review. We are creating a reputation for our area that focuses on environment and sustainability, world class regional experiences, higher value stays and encouraging people to live, work and invest in the region. I am proud to be working in partnership with the City of Victor Harbor and the business community to develop this very exciting strategy”

“I know I have big shoes to fill, taking over from BVH’s previous Deputy Chair Mark Richards, but I feel confident I can continue his hard work in advocating for and supporting our members,” she said.

Business Victor Harbor also welcomes two new members to the Board, including nbn™ Community Engagement Manager for SA, Travis Bates and Owner of SOMA Health & Beauty, Deani Edwards.

Travis Bates, NBN Community Engagement Manager

Travis has spent a decade working in community and economic development, property management, community relations and corporate social responsibility and cultural heritage roles for Rio Tinto and Yancoal in QLD and NSW. He is passionate about economic development, particularly at the start up and entrepreneurial level having run programs on the East Coast and Norfolk Island.

Travis holds a Science degree with Honours in Sustainable Energy Management and post-graduate qualifications in Business Administration. He has recently relocated to Middleton with his wife and three kids and spends most of his spare time in the waters off Boettcher Road.

Deani Edwards, owner Soma Health & Beauty

Deani Edwards has over nine years in the beauty industry, more recently as owner of SOMA Health & Beauty, a peaceful professional home based salon in McCracken.

She also boasts over 20 years in the hospitality industry, working locally and abroad.

She is a true local, born and bred in Victor Harbor and has a passion for the local community and like Kirsten is passionate about regional training and education.