Kiwis named in global young business leaders list

10 April, 2013

Kiwis named in global young business leaders list

Two high-achieving Kiwi finance professionals have been ranked in an international list of 40 young business leaders for 2013.

Amit Prasad and Martin Gaskell, both aged 34, were assessed by a judging panel of notable Australian business leaders for the second annual 40 Young Business Leaders list, compiled by global accounting body CPA Australia.

New Zealand Country Manager for CPA Australia, David Jenkins, says it is real achievement for two New Zealanders to make the list. “The judges were particularly seeking candidates who display outstanding leadership in both their professional lives and the community, and Amit and Martin showed they have what it takes to be our future business leaders.”

Mr Prasad is an Accounting Manager at the University of Auckland. Originally from Fiji, where he rose from low-paid factory worker to acting general manager for an Australian clothing company, he migrated to New Zealand in 2006.

In 2012 Mr Prasad was awarded a Young Managers programme scholarship by the NZ Institute of Management and the Asian Association of Management Organisations. Prior to moving to New Zealand he was a volunteer with Papua Islands Region Enterprise, and he currently tutors recent immigrants to New Zealand in basic English for not-for-profit organisation English Language Partners.

Mr Gaskell is Divisional CFO, Enterprise Support and Operations, at the Bank of New Zealand. Wide financial responsibilities and an operational expenses account of more than NZ$400 million come with his current role, which includes HR, risk and legal departments, technology, marketing and strategy.

Gaskell is a leader of the bank’s Maori and Pacific Island internship program to help the bank achieve a culturally diverse workforce. He was also named Young Finance Manager of the Year at the 2012 New Zealand CFO Awards.

The full 2013 40 Young Business Leaders list can be found here.

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