A key passion for Maria was driving new business opportunities to The ICEHOUSE and adding high value to all strategic relationships. She was also responsible for areas such as growth opportunities and innovation within regions. Prior to joining The ICEHOUSE Maria worked for BNZ for 5 years working for both Business Financial Services and Agribusiness Financial Service before moving into a role with primary responsibility for the Agribusiness Farm First Growth Programmes which included programme structure and design as well as recruitment of external faculty to run the workshops. These programmes were designed specifically for farmers and focused on areas such as Strategic Planning, Succession Planning, Wealth Management and People & Leadership.

As BNZ is a key partner of The ICEHOUSE, Maria has been involved with The ICEHOUSE since its inception. Moving to The ICEHOUSE as Channel Manager and then Business Development Manager was a natural succession for her. Previously, Maria has held a range of roles in organisations including Barclays International Funds Group, Deloitte and Thomas Cook.

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Mike Atkinson

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Paula Laird

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Peter Smith

Peter is the senior partner of Smith & Partners, having practiced in Henderson formerly as the branch manager for Martelli McKegg Wells & Cormack, a medium-sized Auckland practice, since 1988. Peter has developed Smith & Partners from a one man practice to a practice that has two branches, one in Henderson and one in Huapai, 14 solicitors and over 30 staff.

Peter is an experienced commercial lawyer advising small- to medium-sized businesses on appropriate business structures and good governance. He also helps Boards with strategic and business planning.

Peter has a special interest in the not-for-profit sector and serves on the Board of Harness Racing New Zealand and on the Board of South Pacific College of Natural Therapies Inc. Peter is also a past president of the Rotary Club of Waitakere City.

Rachel James

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Ray Knight

Ray Knight spent a number of years as an executive in charge of distribution of international technology software and hardware brands for a New Zealand company. His expertise helped it register a high growth and establish its presence in international markets.

His current assignments include contract and advisory roles in a number of New Zealand based companies ranging from interactive messaging to funding specialist property development.
Mr Knight’s extensive experience spanning more than 20 years has helped small and medium enterprises to develop and implement growth strategies.

He has had extensive experience in growing technology companies with a focus on developing international markets.

Simon Peel

Associate Professor Simon Peel is Dean of Research at Unitec Institute of Technology and is responsible for the development of a research and innovation culture across the institute. Unitec's focus is on promoting applied research that serves the needs of its community, stakeholders and industry.

Simon's previous roles involved management and entrepreneurship education as Associate Head of Unitec Business School and prior to that working with scientists to turn their ideas and technologies into businesses at the University of London. Simon's research interests include entrepreneurial motivation and self-employment.

Having grown up in west Auckland Simon is strongly committed to education and business development in the west.

Steven Nobbs

Steven is the Senior Business Performance Analyst for Logistics Command Maritime at the New Zealand Defence Force. Having been at the NZDF for over 3 years, Steven has designed and implemented new strategic measurement and reporting tools and is focussed on business process improvement.

Before joining NZDF, Steven spent six years with New Zealand Post holding the position of Regional Production Manager (Auckland). Whilst with NZ Post Steven also worked as a Project Manager on the Future Post Programme specialising in process design and automation. This was a nationwide, major change initiative for the State Owned Enterprise.

Formerly an Operational Manager and a key member of the acquisition team for an outsourcing company, Steven gained extensive experience with small business, change management and people management.

Steven holds a Degree in Business and Information Technology gained at the Glydwr University in Wales.

Sukesh Sukumaran

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Victoria Allison

Victoria Allison brings considerable experience in analysis, both from her work as a research scientist and subsequently as a business analyst in the Public sector.

Educated with a PhD from the University of Michigan (USA), Victoria worked as a research scientist with the US Department of Energy in Chicago, and then at Landcare Research in Lincoln.  Now at the Ministry for Primary Industries, Victoria works in the Systems Development area.  Her work focuses on identifying more efficient ways of achieving business outcomes.  She is currently completing a certificate in Business Excellence through the NZ Business Excellence Foundation.

Victoria is particularly interested in the area of performance measurement, and how results can be used to support decision making and identify opportunities for improvement.

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