Leo Austin

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.

Neville Hyde

Neville Hyde is attuned with the Hutt Valley having lived there all his life. He is keen to contribute to ensuring its future economic wellbeing by participation in the promotion of business and business opportunities in the Hutt 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 the activities, is recognition by the Port of the importance of the Hutt Valley as the region's primary transport logistics and manufacturing centre.

Mike Gould

Mike joined Gibson Sheat in 1985 becoming a partner in 1987. He has extensive experience in employment law, having appeared in the Supreme Court in the first employment law case to reach that Court. He also undertakes a variety of general commerical legal work. 

Helen Down

Owner Synthesis Marketing – Experts in Business Growth, and creator of www.mymarketingexpert.co.nz - NZ's essential online marketing toolkit.

When I started Synthesis Marketing in 2001 the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and specifically Geoff Mai were a great help. I was subsequently invited to join the Board in 2005, at a time when the Chamber was going through a difficult period, so it was a perfect way to put something back into the business community.

Synthesis Marketing is all about working with small and medium sized businesses and making them more successful. In many ways our own aims mirror those of the Hutt Valley Chamber. You can find out more about Synthesis Marketing at www.synthesis.co.nz and download a free membership to mymarketingexpert at www.mymarketingexeprt.co.nz

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' 

John Eaden

A banker of 35 years experience, I’m involved running professional development workshops for owners and managers of small to medium sized businesses. 

The focus of the workshops is on providing practical information and tools that business owners can take away and apply in their business to improve their performance.

I’m passionate about helping small businesses succeed and helping them to find understand the benefits of working on, not just in their business.

You can find out more about the workshop programme offered by the National Bank at www.businessresourcecentre.co.nz/

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. 

Michael Knight

Michael has a background in management of national, international companies and export. He is the managing director of his own business, Strategic Management Services Ltd specialising in SME business development and human resource management. He is also a Director of Strategic Consulting Services Ltd. an international human resource training and development consultancy. He has held senior positions with the Apple and Pear Marketing Board, New Zealand Post and several subsidiaries of Fletcher Challenge Ltd. He is Assistant Chair of the Institute of Accredited Business Consultants ( IABC) and Board member the Lower Hutt Chamber of Commerce and Business Hutt Valley. 

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.

Kevin Anderson

Kevin Anderson is a qualified accountant.  Born and bred in Petone he has an affinity to the Hutt Valley.  “I have left twice for job opportunities but have ended up back here; I really enjoy living in the Valley.”

Kevin has been General Manager of Bernina New Zealand since 2000, before that he was their Financial Controller.  From 1997 through to 2009 he was the Regional General Manager for both Bernina New Zealand and Bernina Australia.  “Having seen life from both sides of the ditch I far prefer the lifestyle New Zealand and small communities like the Hutt Valley offer”.

Kevin works with a lot of small business owners throughout the country in his role with Bernina New Zealand.  “Small businesses are the backbone of this country and I believe, through the Chamber, I have the ability to offer my experience to new and existing business in the Hutt Valley”.

Bill Vonder

Bill is an accountant based in Lower Hutt providing specialist tax advice and accounting services to the small and medium sized business in the Hutt Valley. Prior to starting his own business Bill was a Senior Investigating Accountant  with the IRD with over 29 year experience in tax and tax investigation
His strengths are in finance; business management and providing training to businesses. Bill has a good understanding of the needs of the local business community having lived and worked in the valley for most of his life.

He is looking forward to serving on the board and using his skills to assist the local business develop their full potential.

Jaqueline Benndorf

Originally from Uruguay, I have lived in New Zealand for 28 years. During this time I have held several diverse positions. I started the Aids Foundation in Wellington; was one of the expert Agritech Spanish-Interpreters working for various Government departments; I owned my own international student exchange business (specializing in South America) and worked for many years as a psychotherapist/group facilitator/trainer. During the last two years I have had the role of Marketing Facilitator for The Learning Connexion International School of Art and Creativity. I hold a degree in Sociology and am fluent in Spanish, English, French and German.

 Since The Learning Connexion moved to Taita at the beginning of this year, we have been very active in the local community and have a deep commitment to collaborating in as many community projects as possible. Our school has established an excellent relationship with the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lower Hutt City Council and several community groups in the area, and I look forward to contributing my skills as a Board member of the Chamber to the Hutt region.

Chris Bagley

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.

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.