ICN NZ furthers commitment to local business with new Advisory Group

20 September 2010

New Zealand Industry Capability Network (ICN), a business unit of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, has appointed an Advisory Group to provide expert advice on the organisation's strategic direction. The new Advisory Group, chaired by Robin Johansen of Beca Applied Technologies, comprises senior executives from both the public and private sector, including representatives of government ministries, industry advocacy groups and consultancy firms.

The Advisory Group brings considerable expertise and experience to ICN and it is very pleasing to see this commitment to the development of the Industry Capability Network. We look forward to helping ICN to grow its capability to assist both project owners and New Zealand companies, says Robin Johansen.

In addition, the ICN has introduced a range of new measures to help match capable local companies with major projects in Australia and New Zealand. New tools to assist New Zealand suppliers include an improved, more user-friendly, website and an upgraded database.

The ICN is encouraging companies interested in and capable of bidding in major projects in New Zealand and Australia to update their details on the new database. The database is accessed by ICN staff across Australia and New Zealand and their clients in major projects to find competitive and capable suppliers for these projects.

The ICN works closely with the Australian ICN offices to help introduce suitable Australian and New Zealand companies to the supply chains of major projects, especially those with government funding. The ICN provides a free service to design professionals and procurement project managers to help them identify competitive local suppliers; and works with local companies to help them realise their potential through access to major projects in Australia and New Zealand that will grow their scale and capability. New Zealand businesses can find out how to register interest in projects via the Gateway.

The ICN has 24 offices in Australia and two in New Zealand and has, in the 25 years it has been operating, generated more than $11 billion in orders for local companies that otherwise may have gone overseas.

Biographies of ICN NZ Advisory Group Members

Des Ashton, Deputy Secretary of Defence (Acquisition), New Zealand Ministry of Defence

Des Ashton holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree and was trained as an engineering officer and pilot in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). He spent 24 years in the RNZAF working primarily as an engineering officer. Following this, he held a number of management roles and also owned and operated a small business and technology consultancy specializing in, aviation, technology and defence. Des has been a board director of several infrastructure and technology companies and his honorary appointments have included Chairman of the Defence Industry Committee of NZ, Vice Chairman of the Aircraft Industry Association Engineering Division and various appointments with the Royal Aeronautical Society. He was awarded the meritorious service medal by the US Government in 1993 for furthering the relationship between USA and New Zealand.

Michael Bird, Director, Industry Policy & Procurement, Ministry of Economic Development

Michael Bird is Director Industry Policy and Procurement at the Ministry of Economic Development. His current responsibilities include innovation policy, sector and industry development policy and implementation of the procurement reform agenda. He has a science background and completed a Master of Public Policy at Victoria in 2001. He has been at the Ministry of Economic Development since 2004.

Peter Conway, Secretary, New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

Peter Conway was elected CTU Secretary in 2009.  For the last 9 years he has been CTU Economist and more recently CTU Director of Policy. He has also worked as assistant national secretary of the New Zealand Distribution Workers Federation, an advocate for retail workers in the National Distribution Union, an educator with the Nurses Organisation and a director of Auckland�'s Yellow Bus Company.  Peter's qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration and an MA in Economics. He is on the Board of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and is Chair of Oxfam NZ.

Rick Herd, Chief Executive Officer, Brightwater Engineering

Rick Herd has been CEO of Brightwater Engineering for 5 years. Prior to this he was employed by Nelson Pine Industries Ltd as General Manager Laminated Veneer Line (LVL) where he directed the construction, commissioning and production operations of Nelson Pines veneer and LVL facilities. Rick has substantial industry experience in management roles. His strength in leadership proficiently guides projects from concept to completion. An example of this is the current $100m Stockton Coal Handling and Processing Plant for Solid Energy New Zealand which is running to budget and time, with to date excellent client feedback. Rick recently completed a Strategic Leadership Programme to further reinforce his strong belief in leadership, communication and successful client interaction.

Robin Johansen, Director Chair, Advisory Group, Beca Applied Technologies

Robin Johansen is currently a Director of Beca Applied Technologies Ltd and Derceto Ltd in addition to serving as the Chief Information Officer for the Beca Group operating in New Zealand, Australia and Asia. He is Chair of the ICN Advisory Group. Robin qualified with NZCE (Telecom) before gaining a BE (Elect) degree and he has experience in manufacturing within New Zealand having served as the Production Manager for AWA New Zealand Ltd and later as the General Manager for Precision Office Industries, both companies being active exporters. He also has experience working in an R & D environment in the electronics sector; computing, with emphasis on real time applications; project management and risk management. During the ten year period between 1991 and 2000, Robin served as the Deputy Secretary of Defence during the period when the ANZAC ships were built and this gave him considerable exposure to local industry as a key component of this project.

Phil O'Reilly, Chief Executive, Business New Zealand

Phil O'Reilly is Chief Executive of Business NZ, New Zealand's largest business advocacy group, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes. The Business NZ group includes four large regional business associations, the Major Companies Group, Export NZ, more than 70 affiliated industry associations and Buy NZ Made. The group's goal is New Zealand's prosperity through successful business. Phil works with government and other key decision makers on issues of concern to business and the economy. Internationally, Phil represents New Zealand employers at the International Labour Organisation, contributes to the governing body of the ILO, and is a delegate to the Business & Industry Advisory Council of the OECD. Nationally, Phil chairs the Government's Capitalising on Research & Development Action Group and is a board member of the NZ International Business Forum, the Foundation for Science, Research &Technology and the Royal Society, and serves on a number of other Ministerial and advisory groups.

Hans Frauenlob, General Manager - Products & Services, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise