NZTE Client Services Team Directors Appointed
17 September 2003 - New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Client Services Group Manager Lance Wickman has appointed nine team
directors at the New Zealand Government's new 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):
LEONE EVANS – FOOD AND BEVERAGES TEAM DIRECTOR
Leone Evans has 20 years private sector experience and more than five years experience within Trade New Zealand,
including her previous position as Food and Beverages Sector Team Manager. In her new role she will be responsible for
assisting in the development of a food and beverage sector strategy, for leadership of a team delivering a range of
growth services to companies within this sector and for working directly with key clients. Ms Evans’ career began with
tertiary studies in food science and roles in laboratory management and product development before she moved on to
marketing studies and roles in category and brand management of fast-moving consumer goods. Her career has also included
export market development, business management, project management and private consultancy work and her experience spans
the meat, dairy, arable and apparel sectors. Ms Evans is based in Christchurch.
Andrew French – Maori Enterprise Team Director
Andrew French (MBS, BSocSci (Hons)) is of Ngati Hauiti and Ngati Apa descent and has extensive experience within both
the private and public sector. Previously Trade New Zealand’s Maori Enterprise Team Manager, in his new role he will
continue to be responsible for leading a team of client managers in delivering a range of growth services to Maori
clients and for working directly with key clients. Before joining Trade New Zealand in 2000 Mr French was Executive
Director of the Maori Economic Development Commission. He has also worked for a range of public and private sector
organisations including the Ministry of Maori Development, Treasury, Reserve Bank of New Zealand and Banque Indosuez
(London). Mr French is based in Wellington.
Ian Lockie - Wood, Building and Interiors Team Director
Ian Lockie (BForSc, MBA) has an extensive background in forest industry management and was previously a Business
Development Advisor at Industry New Zealand. In that role he worked primarily with export-oriented companies in Auckland
and the Waikato assisting them to achieve faster growth. In his new role he will be responsible for assisting in the
development of a wood, building and interiors sector strategy, for leadership of a team delivering a range of growth
services to companies within this sector and for working directly with key clients. Before joining Industry New Zealand
in 2001 Mr Lockie was CEO of IFR Technologies. He is based in Auckland
DAVID PENNY – NICHE MANUFACTURING TEAM DIRECTOR
David Penny (MBA) is a qualified and experienced electronics engineer with more than 25 years experience in senior
management and as a consultant specialising in company performance development and change management. Previously a
Senior Business Advisor at Industry New Zealand, in his new role he will assist in developing a niche manufacturing
sector strategy, for leadership of a team delivering a range of growth services to companies within this sector and for
working directly with key clients. Mr Penny’s career began with eight years in the technical areas of the electronics
industry associated with sound engineering and industrial electronics. He then gained12 years experience in senior
management roles, including working in the United States and managing Oceania and Asian regions. He has also spent 15
years as a senior management consultant specialising in company performance development and change management. Mr Penny
is based in Auckland.
DAVID POWELL – AGRITECH AND LIFE SCIENCES
David Powell (BA, BCom) has many years experience in the private and public sector and has spent the past six years
focused on biotech and agritech, including three years as Trade New Zealand’s Agritech and Life Science Sector Team
Manager. In his new role he will be responsible for assisting with the development of an agritech and life sciences
sector strategy, for leadership of a team delivering a range of growth services to companies within the sector and for
working directly with key clients. In total Mr Powell has spent nine years at Trade New Zealand in various client
services roles. His career also includes roles in international marketing and two years as New Zealand Marketing Manager
for United States’ company Mattel Inc. Mr Powell is based in Auckland.
TIM SHEPPARD – INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION TEAM DIRECTOR
Tim Sheppard (MA Hons, LLB) has a long career in international trade, including many years working with New Zealand
education providers and promoting New Zealand as an education destination. Previously Trade New Zealand’s Education
Sector Team Manager in his new role he will continue to be responsible for developing an education sector strategy, for
leadership of a team delivering a range of growth services to companies within the sector and for working directly with
key clients. Mr Sheppard has worked for Trade New Zealand and its predecessor organisations since 1971. His career has
included time as Trade Commissioner to France, Bahrain, Papua New Guinea and Canada and from 1997 to 2001 he was
Regional Manager and Senior Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and South Asia, based in Dubai. Mr Sheppard is now
based in Wellington.
ANNE STEVENSON – CREATIVE AND SERVICES TEAM DIRECTOR
Anne Stevenson (BCom) has gained experience in numerous sectors during her career in the private and public sector and
was previously Trade New Zealand’s Technology and Services Sector Team Manager. In her new role she will be responsible
for assisting with the development of a creative and services sector strategy, for leadership of a team delivering a
range of growth services to companies within the sector and for working directly with key clients. During her time with
Trade New Zealand Ms Stevenson has held numerous roles including Technology and Services Team Project Manager, Export
Hotline Account Manager and Corporate Communications Consultant. In the private sector she has held sales and marketing
management positions in international banking and finance, tourism, technology and telecommunications companies. Ms
Stevenson is based in Auckland.
GORDON STEVENSON – INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY TEAM DIRECTOR
Gordon Stevenson (BA (Hons)) has 25 years experience in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector in
the United Kingdom and New Zealand and was previously a Business Development Advisor for Industry New Zealand. Born and
educated in Scotland Mr Stevenson worked in London for 20 years before coming to New Zealand 10 years ago. His career
has have been varied and includes working in systems engineering, business planning, sales and marketing, general
management and as a consultant for a number of multinational organisations in the IT sector. He has also consulted in
management and sales training and change management. In his previous role he worked primarily with Wellington-based
companies, government agencies and local industry leaders to enhance the sector and its business opportunities.
John Waugh – Regional Client Services Team Director
John Waugh has more than 30 years international trade experience and in his new role will be responsible for staff and
operations in NZTE’s regional offices located in Hamilton, Tauranga, Gisborne, Palmerston North, Napier, Nelson and
Dunedin. Mr Waugh has spent the last four years as Trade New Zealand’s Senior Trade Commissioner to Europe. Previously
he was a trade commissioner in London, and formerly held the positions of Southern Region Manager for Trade New Zealand
in Christchurch and Northern Region Manager. Mr Waugh, who has spent more than 15 years working in European and Asian
markets, is based in Auckland.
NZTE WOOD PROCESSING PROJECT MANAGER APPOINTED
General Manager Sectors Neil Maxwell has also appointed a Wood Processing Project Manager in NZTE’s Sector Strategy
Group.
Pelenato Sakalia – Wood Processing Project Manager
Pelenato Sakalia (BA) commenced his career in industrial relations, specialising in contract negotiations. He then
became involved in public service reforms, including in restructuring Inland Revenue and the education and justice
sectors. In 2000 he joined the Ministry of Economic Development as part of team created to establish the Government’s
Economic Development Strategy and later became Project Manager for the Regional Development Taskforce in Tairawhiti and
the Project Manager for the first of the Government’s industry development projects – in wood processing. In May 2001 he
joined Industry New Zealand as Wood Processing Project Manager and at NZTE he will continue in this role with
responsibility for ensuring the delivery of an integrated growth strategy for the wood processing sector. Mr Sakalia is
based in Auckland.