InTouch : A New Southern Man

Resourcing members to help them navigate the current difficult times is the goal for newly appointed NZIM Southern chief executive Kevin Vincent.
“How do we [NZIM] respond in order to ensure business continuity, sustained growth and continued success? I believe we should be undertaking comprehensive analysis so that we’re fully conversant with the current and future market conditions and market needs and from there, develop NZIM capability to deliver on those needs,” he says.
New Zealand is not enduring the crisis alone, though, says Vincent, that is cold comfort to many businesses. “The fact that our economy is mirroring that of other OECD countries, with growing inflation, rising unemployment levels and declining business and investor confidence, is of little solace. People perceive that the level of wealth is reducing. New Zealand business needs strong leadership now more than ever,” he says.
A firm believer in the power of teams, Vincent says the success generated during his two most-recent roles as general manager of both Hamer and Ardex New Zealand – was derived from effective and functional teams with good levels of team spirit, collaboration, unified commitment and good buy-in by staff of the company’s strategic direction and intent.
“If you focus on helping employees to reach their potential through mentoring and support, listening and compassion, by encouraging them to set their own goals and celebrating together when they achieve them, then you’re well on your way to business success.”
Whilst he won’t shy away from the current economic realities, Vincent is focusing on what management will look like on the other side of the gloomy predictions.
“Of course in every situation there are opportunities and in this period of economic downturn I believe that opportunities do exist, and can be capitalised on by NZIM. This current economic environment will favour those entrepreneurial companies prepared to look ‘beyond the headlights’ to previously untapped market opportunities; to see and capture the potential before competitors.”
Vincent, who begins his new role in January, takes over from Reg Garters who has held the role for 28 years.
Born and raised in Christchurch, he attended Sockburn Primary School and later, Riccarton High School. He began his working life as an apprentice electrician in 1970 at the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board (now Southpower and Connetics). He gained an MBA with Distinction from Waikato University in 1998.
Vincent is keen rugby follower, retired player and current armchair critic. He enjoys the outdoors and in particular fly fishing at secret location at Lake Brunner. Married to Christine, he enjoys spending time with their family and grandchildren. He is passionate about New Zealand business and giving people the opportunity to succeed.