NZ Trade And Enterprise Has Appointed New Chairs

New Zealand Trade And Enterprise Has Appointed New Chairs To The New Zealand And Europe Advisory Boards.

Wayne Norrie succeeds Greg Cross as Chair of the New Zealand Beachheads Advisory Board, while Richard Keyse replaces Eric Tracey as Chair of the Europe Beachhead Advisory Board. Greg Cross will remain on the New Zealand Board as an advisor until June 2010.

NZTE’s Beachheads programme was launched in 2002 to accelerate companies’ growth in international markets. It is delivered by NZTE in partnership with the private sector and aimed at high-growth New Zealand businesses looking to grow internationally.

Mr Norrie chairs a board of 15 advisors in New Zealand, who are collectively responsible for assessing applications by businesses to join one of the international Beachheads. Mr Keyse chairs a board of 14 business advisors in the UK and Europe who have experience across a range of industries.

Over the past seven years, more than 170 companies, including some of New Zealand’s most successful exporters, have participated in the programme, with some notable successes.

For example independent information technology analysts Gartner Research have positioned the New Zealand company and mobile banking solution provider M-Com at the top of the ‘Leaders’ quadrant for mobile retail banking in the United States.

NZTE has worked with the company for more than three years, helping it find and forge links to support international expansion.

Wayne Norrie, who has sat on the New Zealand Board as an advisor since 2004, commented: “The Beachheads concept resonates with most people – using influential and powerful personal networks to accelerate business growth offshore. This principle is more valid now than ever before.

“Our challenge is to get more exporters to realise the value of the advice and experience from those who precede them, as opposed to ‘going it alone’.

“With New Zealand needing exports to climb our way into prosperity, I believe this programme can make a significant difference for all New Zealanders, which is why I am delighted to further the great work done to date.”

Richard Keyse, a member of the Europe Beachhead Advisory Board since 2004, said: “Beachheads companies have exciting times ahead as the global economy lifts itself out of the recession. With the build-up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in particular the spotlight will be on New Zealand across the rugby playing nations of Europe. This will be an excellent opportunity for New Zealand companies to exploit.

“The Beachheads Advisory Board in Europe is going from strength to strength and we now have the ability to connect New Zealand companies not only into a much broader geography but also into a wider range of industry sectors.

“I look forward to deepening the partnership between NZTE and the business community and to connecting New Zealand businesses with the opportunities in my role as European chairman.”

Alan Crofts, NZTE Director Networks said: “The Beachheads network of advisors can make a real difference to New Zealand businesses chance of success. A key part of the programme is the development of the relationship between the advisors and the companies. As with customer relationships this takes time and commitment but the rewards are worth it and the role of the Chair is critical to this.

“Many of the companies in the programme have been working with the advisors for several years and are now building long term trusted and meaningful networks

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Greg and Eric for their tremendous support and enthusiasm over the past few years in helping NZTE grow and develop the programme into the success it is today.”

For more information about the Beachheads programme, including full biographies of all advisors, visit www.nzte.govt.nz/beachheads

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