6 July 2015
The Icehouse announces recipients of Owner Manager Programme Scholarships
The Icehouse, a business growth hub, has selected 8 business owners from across the country to receive their Owner
Manager Programme Scholarships for the 35th programme. These recipients will receive up to 25% of the cost of the
programme.
Funded by Graham and Anne Catley founders of Stolthaven Australasia; Impact Capital Management; Bernie and Kaye Crosby
from Prolife Foods; and The Icehouse, The Scholarship Programme is in its first year. It is designed to enable more
owner-managers to attend The Icehouse Owner Manager Programme.
Recipients were selected from a multitude of industries including retail, business services, trade, agriculture, and
education.
Criteria for the applications were $3m+ turnover with a significant opportunity and ambition for growth, and equity
stake in and management control of the business. Special consideration was also given to under 35s, females, exporters
and people from diverse groups.
Andy Hamilton, CEO of The Icehouse says choosing the 8 recipients was a very rewarding process as all applicants had
such a worthy case. He’s now looking forward to seeing the impact the programme will have on them.
“Having worked with over 650 business owners through the Owner Manager Programme, we know the impact this programme will
have on these owners and their businesses” he says.
“I’m not talking about revenue or FTE growth, I’m talking about the immeasurable impact. For some, it will be the time
they get to step out of the business and work on their growth plans. For others, it will be the life-long relationships
they build with other business owners and mentors on the programme. But for most, it will be the skills and knowledge
they will develop to implement into the business long after the programme has finished”.
For one deserving recipient, Ngaire Mansfield, the scholarship and programme has come at a time when she could really do
with a hand up.
"Without word of a lie, it would not have been possible to attend the programme without the scholarship since our growth
is currently outstripping capital availability” she says.
“I now have time set aside to work on our growth strategy and improving my work-life balance. I’m also really looking
forward to getting to know business owners who are in the same boat as me.”
With SMEs representing over a third of our economy, Andy Hamilton says supporting SME growth is essential for the growth
of this country.
“We applaud our donors for their commitment to this scholarship programme but also to all the applicants, attendees and
alumni of the Owner Manager Programme. Without you, The Icehouse wouldn’t be here and our vision of a high performing NZ
economy wouldn’t exist” he says.
Scholarship applications for the Owner Manager Programme 36 are now open. To find out more go to www.theicehouse.co.nz/scholarship-fund.
35th Owner Manager Programme Scholarship Recipients:
BRENT McCONNELL
Stoney Creek
JENNI GIBLIN
Giblin Group
NGAIRE MANSFIELD
Straight Flush Plumbing
MARK WRIGHT
Trucks and Trailers
NICK TOMBLESON
Tombleson Logging
LOGAN TAYLOR
Tomoana Warehousing
KATIE PHILLIPPS
Provincial Childcare
JOANNE EDWARDS
Kiwi Garden
ENDS