New Zealand
I am an experienced CEO, COO and General Manager with a depth and breadth of experience in a range of environments. I am a high energy goal-oriented person with common sense and integrity. I consider myself to be a collaborative strategic thinker, able to develop and lead the implementation of a shared vision and business strategy. I am an International and Sector Engagement Lead for Education New Zealand, Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ). My previous leadership experience includes; leading the operation of a large national early childhood education organisation; the establishment of the organisational structure of a large multisite tertiary education organisation; development of the organisational capability of two large and diverse organisations including, leading significant reform and addressing quality issues; leading a tertiary institution through a period of significant change including reestablishment following the Christchurch earthquakes; establishing a training academy in Doha, Qatar; and establishing a new secondary school in an unprecedented time of four months. I have an in-depth knowledge of the education sector and strong business skills which I believe are highly transferable. I have a collaborative and team-oriented approach and I have worked closely with a diverse range of people, communities and cultures. I have a proven track record of achievement and success. I enjoy a challenge and being in a position to effect positive strategic change and business growth.
I am responsible for ENZ’s engagement with the New Zealand university sector. I also co-ordinate and chair the International Education Peak Body Forum involving the seven sector Peak Bodies, ENZ, NZQA, INZ and the MOE. My role also includes regional responsibility for engagement with South Island Economic Development Agencies and the support and development of international education within leading South Island tertiary institutions.
Within this role I was responsible for the operation of 270 early childhood centres. BestStart has approximately 4500 staff and provides education and care for approximately 19,000 children. The company is a high performing charitable organisation with a signifcant annual turnover. The Regional Managers reported to me and I had oversight of the Marketing and Particapation Functions.
Within this role I was responsible for 10 specialist New Zealand Private Training Enterprises (PTE’s) including Hospitality, IT, Design and Arts, Beauty, Hairdressing, Business, Sport, Massage and Commercial Deep-Water Diving Colleges. The group had over 540 staff and approximately 7000 students including 1400 international students. The company was listed on the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges. The PTE Directors reported to me and I had oversight of the Academic Quality Assurance and Student Administration functions.
As Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand College of Early Childhood Education, I was responsible for all aspects of leadership of the successful teacher training College approved by the New Zealand Qualifications’ Authority and the New Zealand Education Council. The College had over 400 on campus and field-based students. It employed 32 staff and had an operational budget of $4.3m. The College was one of the first PTEs to have received the highest possible rating in all areas of its External Evaluation and Review by the NZQA in consecutive reviews. The College transformed to become a degree provider and gained approval to deliver the first Initial Teacher Education degree endorsed in Leadership
My position at the New Zealand College of Early Childhood Education developed to encompass the role of General Manager of Leadership and Organisational Capability of the parent company ABC Developmental Learning Centres (NZ) Ltd, prior to its sale in 2011. ABC New Zealand had 127 Learning Centres, employed over 1200 staff and had an annual operating budget in excess of $87 million. I had oversight of the Learning and Development function.