NEW APPOINTMENTS AT NZTE

5 May 2011: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has appointed a new Director to lead work in South America, three new Trade Commissioners in key export markets, and a Marketing Director.

Karlene Davis – Director, South America: Karlene is based in Sao Paulo and is responsible for developing strategic relationships and initiatives with South America including companies and multinational corporations. She is in charge of NZTE’s activity in Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Previously the Trade Commissioner for Thailand, she took up her new role in March 2011.

Karlene has previously worked in strategy, business unit establishment, project management, systems and process development, change management and private sector risk management. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Victoria University in Wellington.

Des Brennan – Director, Marketing: Des is based in Auckland and leads NZTE’s work to highlight New Zealand’s business capability to the international market.

Des was previously the Chief Executive of Yachting New Zealand. He has held senior strategic leadership roles both on and off shore. Highlights include leading TVNZ’s funding of Team New Zealand’s successful America’s Cup challenge in 1995, and the redevelopment of the Anchor brand domestically. Des has a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Chemistry) from Victoria University, and a Master of Business Administration with distinction from Massey University. He is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and a Member of the Institute of Directors.

Marcus Scoliege – Trade Commissioner/ Consul General, Hamburg: Marcus is based in Hamburg, where he leads NZTE’s work to facilitate trade and investment opportunities and build strategic business relationships for New Zealand in Germany as well as 17 other countries across Northern and Central Europe, including Western Russia. As Consul General, Marcus represents New Zealand in Northern Germany.

Fluent in French, German and Swedish, Marcus was previously the Programme Manager for NZTE’s Beachheads programme in Europe. He began his career with Tourism New Zealand in Frankfurt, where he was ultimately Manager for Germany, Switzerland and Austria. He was also the Trade New Zealand representative in Sweden, and later became Export and Business Development Manager for PreSwede AB, a Swedish manufacturer in the medical beauty industry.

Born and raised in New Zealand, Marcus has a BA in political science and languages from Waikato University and a Master’s degree from the Université d’Angers (France).

Clare Wilson – Trade Commissioner/Consul General, Milan: Clare took up the dual role of Trade Commissioner Italy and Consul General in late 2010. Based in Milan she is responsible for New Zealand’s trade relationships with Italy, Turkey, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Romania and Hungary.

Clare has previously worked in senior marketing and management roles in the tourism and sport sector, including Marketing Manager of Tourism Holdings and Sponsorship Manager of the Blues and Auckland Rugby. In 1996, Clare and her business partner formed Philadelphia Consulting Group, which is today the largest SME business consultancy in New Zealand. More recently Clare was Marketing Manager at St John.

Although born in Auckland, Clare is fluent in Italian having undertaken a student exchange in Sardinia for a year. She received her undergraduate degrees in Art and Commerce from the University of Auckland and her Post-Graduate Diploma in Packaging Technology from Massey University. In 2005 she completed her MBA from the University of Auckland.

Daniel Taylor – Trade Commissioner/ Consul General, Melbourne: Daniel is based in Melbourne and is responsible for promoting and facilitating trade opportunities and strategic relationships for New Zealand companies in Victoria and Tasmania. As well as his Trade Commissioner role, Daniel has consular responsibilities for the state of Victoria.

Daniel was previously NZTE's Ministerial Advisor in the Office of the Minister for Economic Development and Contract Manager for NZTE's training and advisory programmes. Before joining NZTE, Daniel was actively involved in exporting, working in the fresh produce sector. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration degree from Victoria University, Wellington.

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