Ultra-fast broadband champion hired

Ultra-fast broadband champion hired

A former high flier from the global film industry has been hired as the new champion of ultra-fast broadband in Northland.

Opua, Bay of Islands resident Mike Preece has been hired by regional economic development agency Northland Inc on an initial six month contract to help Northland businesses recognise the potential of – and adopt – ultra-fast broadband (UFB). As part of the role, he’s working closely with the Northland Chamber of Commerce, Northpower Fibre and the Whangarei District Council.

Mr Preece had a long UK-based career in the film industry, which began in 1979 and ended 10 years ago when Universal Pictures – of which he was Senior Vice President, Licensed Distribution – was sold. At the time his global responsibilities stretched to dozens of countries and he had opened and developed markets such as Russia, Indonesia, Croatia, Turkey, China, India and Central America.

He moved to New Zealand for a change of lifestyle in 2004 and has since been involved in the hospitality industry and as a professional conference organiser. Last year he was asked to engage in business mentoring through business incubator/investment body ‘The Icehouse’ in Auckland and he currently sits on the advisory board of hi-tech, start-up business ‘Parrot Analytics’.

Mr Preece says he is looking forward to his new Northland Inc role and its associated challenges. Ultimately, he hopes to see Northland with high quality fibre which is easy to connect to, accessible to all and built and operated to world class standard.

“I’m aiming to work with retail providers of UFB and Northpower Fibre to generate and promote interest in the early connectivity and bottom-line benefits of adopting ultra-fast broadband technology.”

Mr Preece says he wants to work across a variety of sectors to promote, educate and help deliver digital technology solutions that can add value, cut costs and increase businesses’ competitiveness.

“As Whangarei will be the first city in New Zealand with the infrastructure in place to roll out UFB, my initial focus needs to be primarily geared to localised businesses, but will eventually extend to other parts of the region. I’m also keen to see Northland and Whangarei promoted as areas which encourage and welcome hi-tech-focused business opportunities.”

Mr Preece wants to see WI-FI in all urban areas and townships throughout the region and video conferencing facilities available in all public/community libraries.

Northland Inc’s Executive Chairman Colin Mitten says he’s pleased to have secured someone of Mr Preece’s calibre for the new ‘Digital Strategist’ role.

“Promoting the uptake of ultrafast broadband – and ultimately expanding Northland’s digital technology infrastructure – is crucial to our regional economic growth and we’re delighted to have been able to hire someone with Mike’s skills and background to spearhead this important task.”

Mr Preece says he’s particularly interested in hearing from businesses which have already successfully implemented UFB so the resulting lessons – and benefits – can be shared with others.

“If businesses fully utilise and invest in this technology we’d have a number of positive potential outcomes.”

ends

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