Northpower Limited Media Statement
Date: 3 June, 2014
Subject: Northpower Executive begins PM Business Scholarship
A Northpower executive this week embarks on a Prime Ministerial Scholarship at the University of Pennsylvania.
Barbara Harrison, General Manager of Business Support and a member of the Northpower executive management team, is
responsible the Corporate Services functions that are provided to Northpower’s national and international business
activity.
Alongside this, she contributes to the development and execution of Northpower’s businesses strategy and is involved in
a number of industry bodies in New Zealand.
Ms Harrison will spend the next five weeks immersed in the Wharton Business School Advanced Management Programme (AMP) –
described by some as an MBA in five weeks.
The executive management programme is based on real-time business dynamics, economic challenges and opportunities,
global trends, market shifts and thought leadership.
“I am looking forward to fine-tuning my leadership style and developing my strategic business skills,” says Ms Harrison.
“Wharton Business School is one of the largest and most distinguished business school alumni organisations in the world
so it will be immensely challenging.”
“I look forward to bringing the learnings back to Northpower. We are in an immense period of growth with the completion
of our ultra-fast broadband network in Whangarei, our expansion into electric vehicles, a strong financial performance
in Australia and the continued growth of our New Zealand Contracting business – not to mention the focus we place on
innovation and safety.”
Upon completing AMP, participants become Wharton alumni, which has more than 92,000 members in more than 130 nations.
When Ms Harrison was named as one of 10 scholarship winners last year, Prime Minister John Key stated such opportunities
will have many positive flow-on effects for New Zealand businesses – allowing them to fine tune their skills and
increase their business knowledge to help local companies become more productive and competitive.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce said at the time that the scholarships recognise the skills, achievements and
potential of some of New Zealand’s up and coming business leaders.
ENDS