New Appointments at NZTE

New Appointments at NZTE

19 August 2011 - New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) has appointed four new Trade Commissioners in export markets.

Mike Arand – Trade Commissioner, Shanghai: Based in Shanghai, Mike is responsible for NZTE’s activities in Shanghai and the provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei, Sichuan, and Chongqing. Mike and his team identify opportunities to internationalise New Zealand business, proactively build strategic relationships and connect business stakeholders to support New Zealand businesses in the region.

Mike has extensive experience identifying global business opportunity, creating and implementing strategy, developing and managing multi-channel business and leading and creating change improvement. Mike’s experience in business development spans across New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the USA. Most recently, he was instrumental in moving Pumpkin Patch from an Australasian-based retail and mail order business to a multi-channel business now active in over 20 countries across diverse cultures and business practices.

Born in New Zealand, Mike has a degree in International Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) from University of Waikato. Mike also received a scholarship for postgraduate study at Osaka University of Foreign Languages and Chuo University. He has lived in Europe and Japan and is fluent in Japanese.

Steve Jones – Trade Commissioner/Consul General, Middle East and Africa: Based in Dubai, Steve is in charge of NZTE’s operations in the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan. He and his team are responsible for developing and maintaining an extensive network of business relationships in the region relevant to NZTE clients’ trade and investment interests. Steve took up his current role in July 2011.

Steve was previously NZTE’s Operations Manager for Creative and Services, leading a team of Account Managers working with some of New Zealand’s most successful businesses in the textiles, apparel, animation, digital, consulting, and tourism sectors. He was also NZTE’s Private Sector Liaison Officer to the World Bank Group.

Originally from Wales, Steve worked in production and business development roles in the construction, printing and publishing services sectors in the UK, before moving to New Zealand 1995.

Melissa Trochon– Trade Commissioner/Consul General, Canada: Based in Vancouver, Melissa leads client and project work across Canada, and manages NZTE’s Vancouver-based team. Before taking on her current role in July 2011, she worked in operations and account management with major New Zealand businesses.

Melissa has over 15 years experience working with New Zealand’s business community in both the private and public sectors. At NZTE, she has had a number of roles including establishing and managing an early stage business funding programme, project management of export promotion and free trade agreement initiatives.

Prior to joining NZTE, Melissa worked in business banking at ANZ and as an analyst with Credit Suisse First Boston and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in London.

Melissa holds a Commerce degree (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts degree, both from Otago University.

Hernando Banal – Trade Commissioner, Philippines: Hernando took up his role in June 2011 and is based in Manila. Hernando and his team aim to facilitate and promote trade and investment for New Zealand in the Philippines by providing relevant in-market intelligence, as well as developing an effective network of local contacts for New Zealand businesses.

Hernando has many years of experience in various industries including IT services, software development, airline operations, engineering design services, and steel manufacturing. He has worked in New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, and the Philippines.

Originally from the Philippines, Hernando lived in New Zealand for 14 years. He has a New Zealand Certificate in Engineering - Electronics and Computer Technology from Auckland University of Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Mapua Institute of Technology (Manila). Hernando is also an active board member of the Philippines - New Zealand Business Council.

ENDS

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