New Competenz Board appointments

Media Release
15 June 2012

New Competenz Board appointments

Mike Simm has been appointed Chair of the Board of Competenz, the Industry Training Organisation for the Engineering, Manufacturing, Baking and Food and Beverage Manufacturing industries.

Mike Simm has been a professional director since 2002 and is currently Chair of Brightwater Group Ltd, a Nelson-based engineering contracting company, and Deputy Chairman of Far North electricity company, Top Energy Ltd. He also is Director of Security North, Selwyn Properties and several smaller entities.

Mr Simm is passionate about business – and developing the skills businesses need to be successful. He is active in youth development and transitions from school to work , particularly through is work as Trustee of various community trusts including Enterprise Northland and Northland Youth Development Trust.

Mr Simm trained as an accountant and worked at Rheem in both New Zealand and Australia and at McConnell Group before becoming Executive Director and shareholder of Fullers Bay of Islands. After selling Fullers in 2001, Mike was active in the tourism industry serving as Director for NZ Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, NZ Tourism industry Association and Deputy Chair of Jason Travel Media.

Mr Simm is also joined by two new directors, Kelly Smith and Tom Barratt.

Ms Smith brings 20 years’ experience in the fast moving consumer goods industry to the Competenz Board. She is the founder and Managing Director of Biz Advisor, a consultancy firm for small to large FMCG companies specialising in Sales and Business Optimisation and has a background in sales and marketing in Griffins Food Ltd and Goodman Fielder Baking.

Helping organisations in a time of change and contributing to the development of skills in industry are Mr Barratt’s interests. He also brings a wealth of experience in the engineering and manufacturing sectors to the Board. He started work as an engineering apprentice and worked as a Mechanical Engineer and Regional Engineer for Coal Corporation of New Zealand before moving to Du Pont and his current position as the Managing Director of Degussa Peroxide Limited.

Three long standing members remain on the Competenz Board: Peter Herbert, businessman and active member of engineering associations; Diana Hudson, Managing Solicitor at the Otago Southland Employers Association; and Bill Newson; National Secretary for the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU).

Competenz covers 15 sectors within manufacturing and the collective experience of the Board, along with a considerable level of governance experience, will stand Competenz in good stead in a time of change.

© Scoop Media