Steve Smith
The Portacon Group, owner of the Versatile, Totalspan and Spanbilt brands, has appointed Smith as its new chairman. Managing director of his own company, Unison Capital Advisors, Smith has 20 years’ experience in investment banking and financial advisory roles. In 2003 he retired as partner of accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, and in 2004/05 he was acting CEO of Pacific Retail Group during its restructuring phase. His current directorships include Fulton Hogan; OCG Consulting Group; Trebol Investments; and Life Pharmacy.
Jenny Peploe
Peploe succeeds Kerry Gleeson as the next chief executive officer of SellAgence. founder director and shareholder of the company, Peploe has previously been responsible for sales and new business development. Gleeson remains as chairman of the company but in non-executive capacity.
Mark Wilson
TelstraClear has appointed Wilson as head of large enterprises, with responsibility for sales and service to the telco’s government and corporate customers. He was previously with Telstra (Australia) as general manager for primary industry, mining and construction.
Graham Walmsley
Telecommunications company CallPlus has appointed Walmsley as general manager for its local access business, Blue Reach.
Bill Crocker
In addition to his existing role as chief technology officer at GFG Group, Crocker has been appointed to the new and expanded role of director, payment solutions.
Paul Costello
CEO of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund since 2003, Costello has announced his resignation. He is to relocate to Australia where he will take up the position of general manager of the government’s Future Fund Management Agency, based in Melbourne. search is underway for his successor.
Bruce Waldin
Waldin has been appointed business development manager for the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand. Previously marketing director for World Vision New Zealand, Waldin’s employment history also includes marketing roles with Weddel NZ, Skellerup Industries and Tegel Foods.
Paul Cropp
Dominion Finance Holdings has appointed Cropp as its new chief executive. He replaces Terry Butler who relinquished the role and is now the company’s deputy chairman. Cropp has worked in senior executive roles with major finance companies and banks and was CEO of Hanover Financial Services prior to this appointment.
Simon Blair
Blair, currently chief operating officer of Medibank Private, Australia’s largest health insurance fund, takes over as managing director of Sovereign in mid November. New Zealander, he began his health management career as CEO for the Northland District Health Board before relocating to Australia in 1993. Blair replaces Barbara Chapman, now group executive, marketing & communication at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Graeme Henderson
Money Managers has appointed Henderson as franchise development director – key strategic role for the financial advisory firm. He was most recently franchise business manager for New Zealand Post, has worked as an independent franchise consultant and has held key managerial positions for financial services firms.
Amanda Wisnieski, Kate Terry
Wisnieski and Terry join Nielsen Media Research’s New Zealand readership team as associate directors. Wisnieski is an experienced media researcher and Terry has extensive experience as senior research consultant.
Cliff Baker
Online travel portal Just Book New Zealand has appointed Baker as general manager. American born and educated, Baker has spent the past 13 years in New Zealand and has had first-hand experience of New Zealand’s tourism market as owner of Bangor Country Estate in Mid Canterbury.
