NZTE Sector Directors Appointed
New Zealand Trade And Enterprise General Manager Sectors Neil Maxwell Has Appointed Five Sector Directors At The New
Zealand Government's Trade And Economic Development Agency, Formed On 1 July From The Merger Of Trade New Zealand And
Industry New Zealand. They Are (In Alphabetical Order):
DR CHRIS BOALCH – BIOTECH SECTOR DIRECTOR Chris Boalch has extensive experience in the area of technology transfer and
commercialisation of research and in his new role will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of an integrated growth
strategy for the biotechnology sector. He joined Industry New Zealand in December 2002 as an Industry Intelligence
Specialist and in that role was heavily involved with the Biotechnology Taskforce. Previously Dr Boalch was the manager
of a business unit in Europe’s largest commercial science and technology organisation ‘QinetiQ’. He has also held senior
positions within the UK Department of Trade and Industry and UK Natural Environment Research Council. Dr Boalch has a
PhD from the University of Dundee in Scotland and is based in Auckland.
PETER BULL – FOOD AND BEVERAGE SECTOR DIRECTOR Peter Bull has an extensive career in the food and horticultural
industries in New Zealand and overseas and in his new role he will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of a growth
strategy for the food and beverage sector. Prior to joining Industry New Zealand last year as Director, Niche
Developments he held general management positions with Zespri and ENZA. He has also worked in new product development,
food processing and the agricultural chemical industry. Mr Bull’s overseas experience includes working in Latin America
and the Pacific. He has postgraduate degrees in science and business and is based in Wellington.
Paul Claridge – Information And Communications Technology Sector Director Paul Claridge Has Considerable Commercial
Experience And In His New Role Will Be Responsible For Ensuring The Delivery Of A Growth Strategy For The Information
And Communications Technology (Ict) Sector. Most Recently He Was Industry New Zealand’s Southern Region General Manager,
Responsible For Business And Regional Economic Development. Prior To That He Worked For New Zealand Post As A Senior
Manager, Business Solutions And In That Role Worked On The Development Of Integrated Business Systems Using Logistics
And E-Commerce Applications For A Diverse Range Of Companies In Numerous Industry Sectors. He Has Also Been Chief
Executive Of Lincoln Hospitality Limited And Director Of Student Services For Lincoln University. Mr Claridge, Who Has
An Ma (Applied) And Is Currently Completing A Mba Through Henley Management College, Is Based In Christchurch.
Cheryll Sotheran - Creative Sector Director Dame Cheryll Sotheran DNZM has had a long career in the cultural sector,
including university teaching and management and governance roles such as directorships of public art museums and
membership of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council. She was the founding CEO of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa
Tongarewa from 1993-2002 and in 2000 was recognised in the New Years honours list. Dame Cheryll was appointed Sector
Director Creative Industries at Industry New Zealand in December 2002 and will continue in that role for New Zealand
Trade and Enterprise, with responsibility for ensuring the delivery of a growth strategy for New Zealand’s creative
sector. She is based in Wellington.
Harold Williams – Niche Manufacturing Sector Director Harold Williams commenced his career as an engineer in the
telecommunications, public water supply and public transport industries in New Zealand and Hong Kong before becoming
chief executive of an electricity company and managing director of a facilities management contracting company. In his
new role he will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of a growth strategy for New Zealand’s manufacturing sector
and will also have responsibility for the Industry Capability Network (New Zealand), formerly the Industrial Supplies
Office. Previously Director of Niche Manufacturing at Industry New Zealand Mr Williams, who has an MBA, MArch and BE, is
based in Auckland.