Wealth of Business Talent on NZ Advisory Board

Wealth of Business Talent on New Zealand Advisory Board

18 September 2006: Four new members have been appointed to the New Zealand Beachheads Advisory Board, bringing with them a wealth of independent business expertise.

Experienced New Zealand businessmen Rod Drury, Howard Moore, Chris Lynch and Stefan Preston have joined existing board members Garry Reynolds, John Stace, Phil Norman, Scott Gilmour, Stuart McKenzie, Wayne Norrie, and Chair Greg Cross in providing high-level advice and support to New Zealand companies entering the Beachheads Programme.

Lorraine Witten, Chip Dawson and John Barr have become Associate Board Members and will continue to provide advice and support according to need.

NZTE’s Beachheads Programme offers a customised programme that includes input and expertise from Board members in New Zealand and offshore. The Advisory Boards comprise highly successful local business leaders who have developed a wealth of knowledge and are committed to assisting New Zealand companies to succeed in export markets.

The Advisory Boards provide mentoring, feedback and monitoring to selected committed and capable high-performing companies seeking growth through entry to offshore markets. Advisory Boards are already operating successfully in the Americas and the UK and are being introduced progressively to other Beachhead locations.

Rod Drury is an experienced technology entrepreneur passionate about software development and building value and has spent significant time in the USA working with leading international technology companies.

Howard Moore is one of a handful of New Zealanders who have achieved success as a biotechnology entrepreneur. He is also an experienced dairy industry executive with 25 years in the business in New Zealand and the USA.

A native Californian, Chris Lynch came to New Zealand in July 2004, bringing with him extensive experience in the wine industry in the US, Europe and Australia.

Stefan Preston is Chief Executive Officer of Bendon Group Limited and has an extensive management background in the retail, technology and construction engineering sectors.

As part of their application to the Beachheads Programme companies attend a workshop with the New Zealand Advisory Board where they make a presentation. Companies are assessed on their readiness and capability to enter and continue in the programme.

New Zealand Beachheads Advisory Board Chair Greg Cross said the aim of the Advisory Board was “to accelerate growth into key overseas markets by providing access to expert in-market advice and an entry point to vital contacts and networks.

“To that extent we rely on the expertise and commitment of our board members and I know that is valued by the companies coming through,” he said.

"We are entering a phase of rapid expansion with Beachheads and with the level of expertise around the table we are now in a strong position to advise and support New Zealand companies at all stages of their development and across a range of sectors.”

ENDS

Further information on the Beachheads Programme including biographies of all advisory board members is available at www.nzte.govt.nz/beachheads

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