Grant Baker
Grant Baker has wide experience at a senior level in both public and private New Zealand companies. He is currently the chairman of Turners Automotive Group, a position he has held for more than 10 years. He was a co-founder of The Business Bakery and has a number of successes under his belt, including being chairman of both 42 Below vodka and Trilogy International. 42 Below was sold to Bacardi in 2006, and Trilogy was recently sold to CITIC Group, a state-owned invest company of the People’s Republic of China. Grant is also a cancer survivor and has a strong interest in the health and wellbeing sector. Until recently he was the chairman of The Gut Cancer Foundation, a position he held for more than 10 years.
Stephen Sinclair
Stephen is a Chartered Accountant, and spent the early part of his career with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. In 1999 he started working with Grant Baker and since then has been involved with numerous successful start-ups, including 42 Below, Ecoya and Trilogy, and was involved in the recapitalisation of Dorchester Pacific which is now the Turners Automotive Group.
Michael Kerr
Michael holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in marketing and management, from the University of Auckland. Michael has worked in sales and marketing roles for several local and multinational businesses. More recently he was responsible for establishing the Swisse brand in New Zealand across multiple retail channels, and was the general manager of the skincare brand, Trilogy. Michael’s career spans 20 years, in which time he has developed a wealth of knowledge both locally and internationally of how to create and grow brands in the Health and Wellness space.
Roger Gower
Roger has wide experience as a company executive, director and Chairman in both public and private companies. He is currently Chairman of PrimePort Timaru Limited and New Zealand Food Innovation Auckland Limited (the Food Bowl). Roger is the Chief Executive of New Zealand’s Best Food & Beverage Limited, a company affiliated with Douglas Pharmaceuticals that has developed wellbeing products targeting the mother & baby and aged care sectors under the Douglas Nutrition brand. Roger was Chairman at Charlie’s juice company, which listed in 2005 and prior to that had a corporate career in logistics and transportation. Roger has a BCom from the University of Auckland, an MBA from Massey University and an MPhil from the University of Cambridge.
Hannah Barrett
Hannah has a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in commercial law and accounting, from Victoria University and is a qualified Chartered Accountant. Hannah spent three years working at PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Financial Advisory team working on assignments for global companies as well as New Zealand based businesses and individuals. Hannah also runs her own business specialising in digital consulting and marketing. Hannah supports a number of charities and is an ambassador for SPCA NZ and Sweet Louise.
Antony Vriens
Antony is a seasoned executive with a career in health and financial services corporations across New Zealand, Australia and Asia. He is currently an Independent Director of the Turners Automotive Group, and is the Chairman of DPL Insurance Limtied (Turners’ insurance subsidiary). Antony is a medical doctor by background and brings a strong interest in wellness and nutrition, which is supported by his medical training. Antony’s is also currently involved in new health technology initiatives to support lifestyle change in the Asia region. In addition to his medical degree, Antony holds an MBA from the University of Auckland, with a background in international business and innovation.
Richard Clive Pearson
Richard Clive Pearson has been Chairman of Wellington Electricity Distribution Network Limited and its subsidiary companies since the organisation’s establishment in 2008.
He was also appointed Chairman of Enviro (NZ) Limited in 2013. Prior to his current positions, Mr. Pearson worked for Hutchison Whampoa Group (now known as CK Hutchison Holdings) from 1975 to 2007, holding various senior roles in Hutchison Port Holdings Group, including Managing Director – Europe Division from 2005 to 2007, President of ECT Rotterdam from 2002 to 2004, as well as Managing Director of Hongkong International Terminals Ltd from 1996 to 1998.
He is currently a Director of Employers and Manufacturers Association NZ. Mr. Pearson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and is a member of the New Zealand Society of Accountants.