Company Profile - Opportunity Hamilton

Rob Pritchard – Acting Chief Executive

Hamilton-based accountant Rob Pritchard has been appointed acting chief executive of Opportunity Hamilton.

Rob will maintain ‘business as usual’ at the economic development agency for three to five months while the Opportunity Hamilton board recruits a permanent chief executive.

“This time will allow the board to thoroughly work through the recruitment process to appoint the right person for this role long-term,” Rob said.

Rob works as a contracting accountant for high-end business clients and was chief financial officer at The Gallagher Group for a decade. He also ran his own computer and audio visual equipment hire business Hire Intelligence for more than a decade.

“My appointment is about making the time to find the right leader to take this organisation forward into the next decade, just as Sandra Perry has done for the last decade,” Rob said.

Rob replaces the outgoing Sandra Perry who has taken up her new role at the helm of the Waikato Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Sandra led Opportunity Hamilton for 12 years.

Adrian Dixon - Business Development Manager

Giving the Waikato a winning edge in business is the aim of Adrian Dixon, who manages the business funding arm of Opportunity Hamilton.

Adrian, an economic development and strategy specialist, facilitates the government’s regional funding scheme throughout Waikato.

Adrian has more than two decades experience in export, business and economic development, and was an export controller at Carter Holt Harvey for more than four years. He also worked as general manager of client services for Trade New Zealand, where he helped New Zealand companies expand their businesses globally.

Other roles have included business growth management for WHK and management consultancy on a range of projects including strategic company reviews, raising capital and new product development.

An experienced presenter, public speaker and advisor, Adrian has provided policy advice, delivered speeches and training programs across a range of business and economic development issues. 

He has also worked on a variety of export, business development and strategic review consultancy assignments and regularly meets with government ministers, advisors and departments to provide advice and support for productivity improvements and economic development.

Outside work, Adrian enjoys renovating houses and running with his two dogs.

Novell Gopal - Regional Business Partner Waikato manager

Educating SMEs on the business capability support available to them is a key focus for manager of Regional Business Partners Waikato Novell Gopal.

Novell joined Opportunity Hamilton to manage the initiative giving regional business owners access to tens of thousands of dollars of funding and advice to help them innovate and grow.

“The big challenge with SMEs is they don’t have time to lift their heads to see what is available to them. If we can help educate them about Regional Business Partners they will find a simple way to improve their business capabilities,” Novell said.

RBP Waikato was established late last year, with Opportunity Hamilton and Waikato Innovation Park jointly appointed one of 14 regional partners of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and TechNZ for the programme. Since then the programme has supported dozens of regional businesses, from Tuakau to Taupo, with tens of thousands of dollars funding for training, workshops, coaching and other business capability tools.

Novell’s vast global experience in the business and technology arenas sets him in good stead to manage the programme.

RBP Waikato can support eligible businesses with up to $5000 funding each year to pay half their training costs. To be eligible for the voucher-based funding system business owners must demonstrate a desire to innovate and grow their business.

“Part of the assessment is talking through their business, getting a feel for where it’s at, identifying their skill gaps and executing a strategy to close their skill gaps with the appropriate training programme. Depending on a business’ size and aspirations, regional partners can tailor funding and support to meet their needs.”

Research and development funding support from a national pool of $75 million is available through Waikato Innovation Park’s TechNZ arm of the initiative.

Robyn Robertson - Business Development Assistant

Keeping businesses informed of what’s available to them through Regional Partners Waikato programme is high on the agenda for Opportunity Hamilton business development assistant Robyn Robertson.

Together with business development manager Adrian Dixon, one of Robyn’s prime objectives is to help deliver the government-led programme geared at small and medium business growth.
Robyn looks after the administrative side of regional partners, liaising with businesses owners keen to take advantage of free assessments the programme offers, and giving them the information they need.

Robyn joined Opportunity Hamilton in 2008 after many years in the healthcare industry and as a small business owner.

Multi-tasking is a breeze for Robyn, who also organises Opportunity Hamilton business functions and launches, and previously helped facilitate the Enterprise Training Programme.

Robyn enjoys helping businesses by letting them know what they may be entitled to through the regional partner initiative.

Sally Birch - Communications Manager

More than a decade’s experience as a business reporter has set Sally Birch in good stead for her role as Opportunity Hamilton communications manager.

Sally worked at Waikato Business News for seven years where she forged strong relations with the local business community. She also has vast daily newsroom experience.

Sally liaises with the media and is passionate about uncovering unsung business heroes and success stories while working to lift the profile of Opportunity Hamilton

Sally also has experience in producing specialist business publications, writing and advertising account management.

Marianne Jones – Executive Assistant

Every organisation needs a knowledge goldmine and at Opportunity Hamilton it's Marianne Jones.

Executive assistant to Sandra Perry and the Trust Board, Marianne is also a familiar face to the thousands of business people Opportunity Hamilton has supported over the years.

She has been with the organisation for more than 15 years, managing finances, operations and property, and supports each team member with her organisational knowledge and administration skills.

Previously Marianne had more than two decades experience as a financial and administrative executive in global manufacturing and engineering corporations in Denmark and Australia.
 

Nicola Browne - Digital Hamilton project manager

Former international cricketer Nicola Browne has gone into bat for Hamilton’s digital future in her role with Opportunity Hamilton.

Nicola has been appointed Digital Hamilton Strategy project manager and will lead the city’s charge in becoming a global digital technology leader.

Nicola has more than high level sporting achievement up her sleeve – she has a background in the digital industry as a graphic designer and in sports development and promotion.

Nicola's role includes engaging with businesses, schools and medical facilities around the Digital Hamilton Strategy. Collaborating with digital stakeholders and industry experts is also high on the agenda, with teamwork is a vital part of Hamilton’s digital future.

She will also co-ordinate the 2012 Innovation and Growth conference, an inaugural global event expected to draw international technology heavyweights and investors to Hamilton. The June 11 and 12 event will coincide with Fieldays, leveraging expertise from throughout New Zealand and the world.

Nicola was a White Ferns and Northern Spirit Pace bowler and batter and her 33 wickets in Twenty20 cricket is the most made by any New Zealander. She was ranked as the fourth best all-rounder in the ICC women’s rankings and holds the Phyl Blackler Cup for the woman judged as making the most meritorious performance. She will continue her involvement in the sport with the Northern Spirit and helping grow the game in New Zealand.

Paul Barlow - Regional Business Partner Waikato assessor

Paul has worked in the New Zealand dairy industry in a range of sales and marketing roles in New Zealand and offshore (USA and Australia).

After establishing the Market Service department at Canpac, Hamilton, Paul has worked in economic development roles for Hamilton City Council,the Katolyst Group and Opportunity Hamilton. This has chiefly involved the Government's two Major Regional Initiatives in the region; 1) Waikato Innovation Park and 2) to make Hamilton the Australasian centre for light aircraft manufacture, maintenance and pilot training.

James Thomson - programme facilitator

 Opportunity Hamilton’s Bank-able NZ has potential to be used throughout New Zealand, says new programme facilitator James Thomson.

James, an experienced accountant and business analyst, has joined the economic development agency to manage its Bank-able NZ and Be Your Own Boss programmes.

Bank-able NZ in particular has caught James’ eye.

“This innovative funding scheme definitely has potential to be used throughout New Zealand and that is certainly where I would like to take it,” he said.

Bank-able NZ is a funding programme developed by Opportunity Hamilton in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Development, the WEL Energy Trust and commercial lenders to help new businesses secure finance. It is available to business start-ups and existing businesses within Hamilton and the Waipa district.

James recently joined Opportunity Hamilton after working as a commercial management accountant for companies such as Perry and CTC Aviation. He also runs his own business development company, James Thomson Business Development.

“I am really looking forward to working to give the great programmes Opportunity Hamilton runs even more depth and functionality. There are similar programmes in use throughout the world but Bank-able NZ and Be Your Own Boss are quite unique in New Zealand,” James said.

James recently returned to Hamilton after a stint in Canada and the UK with his new wife Tamara, a Canadian.

Tamara is a teacher at Vardon Primary School and runs her own visual arts after school care and holiday programme, Creative Minds.