Business Leaders Archives

Business Leaders

A zero hero – A new type of beer baron emerges Grant Caunter

Grant Caunter was a big beer drinker. It was pretty hard not to be when you’re the global director of craft and variety beer for Heineken based in Amsterdam. However, although he loved beer, he wasn’t that keen on its alcohol content, as it was having a negative impact on his health. Brought to you by: ...

Former All Black Manager Darren Shand shares experiences from the top

Darren Shand thrives in high pressure situations but it’s not the All Blacks nail biting one point win over France in the 2011 World Cup Final that gave him the confidence to perform under pressure. Darren was the manager of the All Blacks for 20 years where he worked alongside the likes of Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen and...

Pro Q&A with Tony Martin – Performing at your best

Tony Martin is a high achiever that’s keen to support other locals to enhance their own performance. Tony featured in the November 2023 issue of The Profit in his capacity as chief executive of Prevar, the organisation at the forefront of innovation and commercialisation of new apples and pears from New Zealand to the world. Tony has also qualified as...

New economic development agency leader up for the challenge – Lucy Laitinen

The Regional Economic Development agency has appointed Lucy Laitinen as chief executive. Lucy comes from a CE role at Anglican Care Waiapu and has also had several roles with World Vision. The Regional Economic Development agency is another reincarnation of the region’s many approaches to boosting the economy, attracting and supporting businesses. It is charged with delivering on the Matariki...

Business Leaders

Napier’s new chief looks to show some love – Louise Miller

New Napier City Council chief executive Louise Miller is keen to show the city by the sea a little bit of love as she settles into the role and looks to bring some stability. Louise is regarded as an experienced leader of transformational change and the timing of her arrival couldn’t have been more welcomed. The city and Hawke’s Bay...

Power change for Unison

After 21 years leading the charge at Unison, Ken Sutherland is stepping down. As Ken looks to flick the switch off as chief executive of one of Hawke’s Bay’s largest companies, he took time out to reflect on what has been an incredibly successful tenure, building the community-owned business from a turnover of $33 million in 2002 to a turnover...

Sandtmann more than an Ad man

Kurt Sandtmann is the kind of guy you’d like to see win Celebrity Treasure Island. He’s resourceful, determined, driven and outdoorsy. He’s also people focussed, funny, and easy to chat to. We sat down recently to chat with Kurt about buying and managing Hawke’s Bay based Marketing Agency Tracta, and how he manages his workload to make sure he doesn’t...

Hawke’s Bay looks to attract successful innovators, investors and entrepreneurs

Jasmine Herlt and Doug Steiner Hawke’s Bay is set to attract successful innovators, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world keen to contribute to local businesses and community initiatives as part of the world-leading Aotearoa INZ immigration programme, the Edmund Hillary Fellowship. Hastings District Council took the lead role in developing a compelling proposition focused on technology, food and beverage...

Born to lead – Bayden Barber has big aspirations for iwi

Bayden Barber was born to lead but as just the second chair of Ngati Kahungunu in 26 years, he will need to draw on all his leadership skills to navigate the iwi and its people to prosperity. In 2022 Bayden beat incumbent chair Ngahiwi Tomoana to become chair of the iwi that represents 60,000 people, more than 100 marae and...

The right ingredients for business success comes from adversity

Running a business can’t be as tough as losing both your parents before the age of 18 years and taking on the care of one of your younger sisters. Shaleah Lawrence has faced the toughest of times and says that although she expects challenges on her journey to creating a successful business, she has the mental toughness to go all...