MEDIA RELEASE – 13 DECEMBER 2006
Fashion Company Strenghens Governance
Auckland-based fashion company High Society has appointed Peter Stanes as an external director to the company’s board.
Mr Stanes is currently chairman of Rembrandt Suits and a director of Methven Ltd.
High Society has a 40-year history in the fashion industry and exports more than 60% of its product to Australia. The
company has recently been through the design audit process with Better by Design and as a result has embarked on a
significant rebranding exercise for its four labels – Catalyst, Obi, Chocolat and Mosaic. It has also looked more
closely at the High Society business at a strategic level with the decision being made to appoint an external director
for the first time.
Managing Director of High Society, Robyn Hall, says the appointment of Peter Stanes would add further robustness to the
board and his experience in exporting would be invaluable. Current board members include founder Bill Hall, Managing
Director Robyn Hall and Creative Director Laurinda Sutcliffe.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Peter’s experience join our Board,” she said. “His management experience and
pragmatic approach will certainly help us as we continue to pursue our export growth strategies.”
Peter Stanes has a background in engineering and has been in executive management roles since the early 80s with AHI
Building Products Group, Feltex NZ (which became Feltrax Interrnational) and Trigon Industries. Since 1995 he has been
involved in a number of business consultancy projects, mentoring roles and directorships. He is a former director of
ZESPRI Group Ltd, ZESPRI International Ltd and Wellington Drive Technologies, and chairman of Aragorn Ltd, a subsidiary
of Zespri Group.
ENDS