Opportunity Hamilton
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Top Business Leaders Join Board  

Opportunity Hamilton Chair, Mavora Hamilton, says she is excited about the skills, expertise and business knowledge both Neil Richardson and John Birch bring to the Opportunity Hamilton Board.

“Neil and John’s exceptional business acumen, combined with their understanding of local business issues, will enable them to make a valuable contribution to the strategic direction of the organisation,” she says.

“With Neil and John on board, Opportunity Hamilton will be even better placed to take advantage of opportunities to help companies in and around Hamilton build strong organisations to collectively strengthen our local economy.”

Neil Richardson has been involved with start-up companies, multi-national corporations, joint ventures, government/public sector, and not-for-profit organisations across many industries and markets worldwide. 

Neil is currently involved in a wide range of companies, including being Chairman and a shareholder of New Zealand Home Loans, SmartTrade, and Rural Trader and a co-founder and major investor in Endace and Imada. 

John Birch is perhaps most recognised for his role in establishing McClunie Birch Ltd (MBL) in 1989, in partnership with Tom McClunie. 

Since stepping aside from MBL in 2000, John has been involved in a number of diverse business interests both as an investor and also as an independent director. 

He has a strong interest in corporate governance and brings a practical and pragmatic perspective to the organisations he is involved in.

John is currently involved in a number of business initiatives, including serving as a Director of WEL Networks and Hamilton International Airport. He is also Chairman/Director/major shareholder of Get Smart Holdings Ltd and a Director of Habitat for Humanity (Central North Island). 

Opportunity hamilton Opportunity hamilton
 SMEs contribution to employment in Hamilton stands at 33% which equates to 25,810 employees.  The growth of SMEs in Hamilton city between 2000 and 2008 was 31% which is above the 25% percent growth recorded in the rest of New Zealand over the same time period.  Hamilton is the home of the mighty Chiefs and Waikato rugby teams and the 26,000 capacity Waikato Stadium.  Hamilton will host 3 matches in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.  Hamilton hosted the New Zealand round of the prestigious V8 Supercar Championship in the city for the second year in 2009. The inaugural race in April 2008 attracted 172,000 attendees plus 5,000 people associated with the running of the event. The event generated $28.3 million of new money into the local economy in the first year and is estimated to generate $156 million over the seven years that the event will run.  Over 100,000 people annually visit New Zealand National Agriculture Fieldays held at Mystery Creek (10 minutes south of Hamilton), which is the largest agricultural event held in the Southern Hemisphere. Each year generates around $290 million sales.  As the centre of the thoroughbred industry, Hamilton has an excellent racing venue at Te Rapa. A national trotting track is 15 minutes drive from Hamilton in Cambridge.  31 October - 7 November Lake Karipiro (30 minutes south of Hamilton) will hold the 2010 World Rowing Championships.  Raglan is 40 minutes by road from Hamilton and home to one of the world’s longest left-hand surf breaks.