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Helen Down - President
Well known Marketing Specialist and owner of Synthesis Marketing Helen is now in her second year a President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, having been an active board member since 2005.
Her career spans various senior management, international account management and marketing roles in of numerous local and international businesses. With a background in several of the worlds largest telecommunications and technology companies Helen’s unique skill is in taking this knowledge and experience and applying it to the hundreds of small and medium sized business that her company works with throughout NZ. Known as a specialist in SME marketing Helen’s passion is in helping companies commercialise their offering effectively and profitably. Helen is known as an energetic and enthusiasm business professional who gets things done.
In her spare time Helen enjoys being outside with her family “mini farming” their 20 acre block in Upper Hutt. And if you can’t find her there then she will be in a local forest or park riding her horse!
You can find out more about Synthesis Marketing at www.synthesis.co.nz and download a free membership to mymarketingexpert at www.mymarketingexpert.co.nz. You can call Helen on 04 528 6214.
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Chris Bagley - Vice President
Chris lives in Lower Hutt with his wife Lisa and two young daughters. Chris' career spans retailing, the general contracting and quarrying industries and the business finance sector and he calls upon the time spent in each of these industries in senior management and advisory roles to assist businesses at all levels but points to a real passion for providing guidance to business owners in the SME space. Chris is a strong advocate of the Hutt Valley's business sector and of the breadth of skill and services which exist within the Valley's business community.
Chris actively encourages business owners and managers to proactively seek out external assistance/guidance and to tap into and maximise use of all business 'support' resources as they exist in their many forms. Chris doesn't hesitate to share his view that "the best thing we can do for our local economy is to make our businesses financially stronger, more efficient and in need of more skilled staff"
In leisure time, Chris continues to chip away at home renovations, enjoys reading and gardening and spending time with family and friends.
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Charles Peterson
Apart from three years in Auckland and two in Sydney, Charles has lived all his life in the Lower Hutt.
On his return from Sydney in 1970, he established his own business in Food Brokerage, marketing to the food industry for many companies throughout New Zealand, including Heinz.
In 1996, following the sale of the business, Charles took on the challenge of selling and leasing commercial property. Specialising in Design / Build projects he has been involved in a number of major transactions including the new Harvey Norman Centre in Lower Hutt and the recent sale of the Colgate property in Petone.
Charles believes we have to be optimistic in respect to the future of business in the Hutt Valley.
'We have experienced some major changes over the last few years. For business to succeed in today's
enviroment we must work hard in a planned and co-ordinated manner. The Chamber can play an important role, working with business and other major city stakeholders, to make the Hutt Valley a place with a reputation for business success and inovation'
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Leo Austin - Past President
Leo Austin qualified as an accountant while working in the electrical manufacturing and wholesaling industry. He then spent some years in the motor vehicle assembly and wholesaling business in various positions, ultimately becoming Chief Financial Officer of one of the country’s largest motor vehicle assemblers and distributors.
He then changed career direction, moving into the banking industry where he was involved in a number of significant international projects, generally with a treasury focus, before moving into merchant banking. He was transferred to Japan in 1986, and spent the next six years in Tokyo working in a number of different functions, ultimately specialising in the cross-border leveraged leasing of commercial aircraft and ships.
He returned to New Zealand in 1992, and commenced his business advisory activities.
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Tony Stallinger
The Hutt is a great place to do business and we have many fantastic operations here in the City. They range from those just starting out, through to those enjoying international success already.
The Chamber is here to provide valuable support to them all.
I’ve been involved with the Chamber Board since my appointment as Hutt City Council Chief Executive in May 2007. My involvement will help build on the close relationship between the two organisations, as they share common goals for business development in the Hutt.
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Neville Hyde
Neville as a long time resident in the Hutt Valley is keen to make a contribution in driving its future economic wellbeing through participation, via the Chamber, in the promotion of business and business opportunities in the Valley and the wider Wellington Region.
Neville brings to the Chamber, as CentrePort's Corporate Advisor, significant business knowledge and development experience. He is an active lobbyist at both the National and Local level in the areas of transport and infrastructure.
CentrePort’s long time involvement with the Hutt Valley Chamber, as a member and regular sponsor of activities, is recognition by CentrePort of the importance of the Hutt Valley as not only the region's primary transport logistics centre but also the regional centre for, research and development and manufacturing.
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June Ranson
June has lived and worked in a number of overseas countries in a variety of Industries. June established Woburn International Ltd in 1991, which is based in Petone, Lower Hutt.
June's role in Woburn International as well as Managing director, is primarily immigration but June also plays a major role in the cultural awareness side and over the years has enjoyed helping many families to adjust to their new life and their changed circumstances. With more than 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, June has worked with hundreds of other career professionals to help them develop and refine their skills, knowledge and expertise across a wide range of disciplines essential for success in our industry.
June is married to Steve and they have a teenage daughter, Zara. June is an early riser and enjoys heading out most mornings for a walk with her lovely dog Mimi. In June's spare time she enjoys being the pillion passenger on Steve’s Harley Davidson Motor Bike.
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Rob Hunt
Rob Hunt is Senior Business Manager for Westpac in the Hutt Valley. Rob lives in Waterloo with his wife Amy and two pre-school boys.
Rob has been working in the banking sector for over ten years, with experience ranging from Corporate finance in London to working with Small and Medium sized Businesses in New Zealand.
Since 2005, Rob has been located within the Valley and it was with the support of the Hutt Valley Chamber that he has successfully built a network of businesses to work with and share referrals.
Rob is passionate about raising the profile of the many wonderful business that are based locally and to encourage a greater level of synergy between these businesses to ensure that more money is spent in our community rather than paid away to other areas of New Zealand or overseas. Rob also focuses on Sustainability - both from an environmental and business continuity perspective.
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Gaylene Hughes
Gaylene is a chartered accountant, business owner and business coach. She specialises in team development and increasing productivity.
Gaylene has a diverse business and professional background. She has owned and operated her own financial consulting business for over 25 years, working with numerous organisations within the public and private sectors plus the not-for-profit sector. She has been a Business coach since 2002.
A new addition to the board in 2011, Gaylene makes a point of proactively seeking out & speaking with Chamber members to ensure their needs are being met.
As a leisure activity Gaylene loves to dance Ceroc with her husband Terry. She is an avid reader.
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Haydn Hughes
Haydn is an associate principal with Hutt-based financial services firm, WHK. At WHK, Haydn is an advisor in the Business Services Division where he advises a broad range of clients on developing strategies to add value to their businesses. Prior to joining WHK, Haydn had his own consultancy and accounting practice.
A recent addition to the Board, Haydn is looking forward to working with the team and fellow Board members at the Chamber in assisting in the promotion and development of business in the Hutt Valley.
Outside of work, Haydn enjoys listening to music, walking, and, being new to the area, exploring all that the Wellington region has to offer.
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Alan Bowmar
Alan Bowmar founded Acma Industries Ltd in 1978. Acma is a manufacturing company situated in Upper Hutt.
Originally, Acma was involved in making trim parts for the vehicle assembly industry. The local assembly industry has now exited NZ and the Company is now specialising in producing health care products and components and also public transport components. Most of Acma's production is exported, including to markets as diverse as China and Europe.
Alan is a working director of Acma Industries and has also served as President of the Upper Hutt Chamber.
For leisure, Alan enjoys reading, golf, fishing and gardening.
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Chris Upton
I have been a member of the Chamber board since my appointment as Upper Hutt City Council Chief Executive in March 2011. Prior to this I have been involved in a number of industries including, banking, procurement, facilities management and the energy sector. I firmly believe that the Upper Hutt and the wider Hutt Valley has a significant role to play in the development of the region. Councils can also help foster economic growth by ensuring that we are solution focused when dealing with business owners and developers.
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