Management Introduction

After an early false start at Teachers College, I began my working life in manufacture of the original Adidas tracksuit fabric so popular in the late 70's and 80's. Driven by ambition and a desire to get ahead, I soon moved into freight sales and building relationships across many different industries. It was during this time that a chance opportunity with one of my customers—a fledgling importing business—changed the course of my career. They took me under their wing, and it was there that my passion for business growth and success was truly ignited.

A decade later, I was again shoulder-tapped, this time to establish a new importing business as a sister company to an existing operation. After a turbo-charged first year, my wife and I bought my business partner out, and together we grew and ran the company for the next 26 years before successfully selling it in 2018.

For the past eight years, I have worked as a business adviser for a subsidiary of an NZX50 company, specialising in strengthening supplier–customer relationships. My career has been shaped by both successes and setbacks, and I firmly believe that every experience—good or bad—provides lessons that can be applied to future challenges. I also place great value on learning from those who have achieved success, banking insights for use when the opportunity arises.

I enjoy listening to people’s ideas and drawing on my experience to help visualise what their journey could look like and how they might achieve the best possible outcome.