The ICEHOUSE Announces New Chair Chris Quin

Thursday, 11 October 2012

The ICEHOUSE Announces New Chair Chris Quin

The ICEHOUSE today announced that Chris Quin, recently appointed CEO of the Telecom Retail business unit has taken over as Chair replacing Greg Cross who is leaving the board as his own entrepreneurial activities demand more of his time offshore.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with The ICEHOUSE. It’s an organisation that makes a difference to the international competitiveness of New Zealand entrepreneurs. In the last 3 years we have built a stronger balance sheet and taken our partnerships with the University of Auckland Business School and the Bank of New Zealand to a whole new level,” said Greg Cross.

Chairman of the International Centre for Entrepreneurship Trust which owns The ICEHOUSE and former CEO of Heinz-Wattie, David Irving paid tribute to Greg’s commitment to New Zealand business growth. “During his tenure as a Director and Chair, The ICEHOUSE has achieved significant milestones in its goal to accelerate entrepreneurs and owner-managed businesses. Greg is a highly- respected thought leader in our business community and his contribution will continue to be valuable.”

Long standing ICEHOUSE Board member and Dean of The University of Auckland Business School, Greg Whittred said, “Greg has been an exceptional leader in his three years as Chair of The ICEHOUSE and as a Director for six years. Greg has led the strengthening of our financial model and a major refresh of our Board and we sincerely thank him for his excellent governance and passion for Kiwi business.”

“As one of New Zealand’s most experienced and highly respected businessmen, we welcome Chris as Chair and his passion and commitment for the success and growth of New Zealand businesses as we guide The ICEHOUSE into another exciting growth phase,” he added.

Chris is a well-known leader in the business community. He is a member of Telecom’s Leadership Team and until recently was CEO of Gen-i Australasia, where he built Gen-i’s position to a market leader. Chris has played an active role in the ICT industry as board member for NZICT, the New Centre for Social Innovation and for four years for The ICEHOUSE. Chris is also a recipient of the 2010 Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Award, and a Chairman’s Award at the TUANZ Innovation Awards.

“I am excited about the opportunity to Chair The ICEHOUSE complemented by a very strong and entrepreneurial Board. Our Board members have deep expertise across a range of industry sectors and valuable global networks that we will draw on to support The ICEHOUSE’s goal to be a significant player in the growth of internationally capable Kiwi businesses.”

“This country’s entrepreneurs and owner managed businesses are the economic engine for New Zealand,” he added. “Many of these businesses have the capability to take their innovative technology, or their ingenious business to markets beyond New Zealand. But, in order to strengthen their business they often need to expand their management capability through learning and networking. They may also need access to capital and introductions to potential offshore customers. Combined, this will give Kiwi businesses the best chance of success. “

“The Board’s aspiration is to enable The ICEHOUSE to deliver 1,000 internationally capable, competitive and ultimately successful organisations by 2020. This is an ambitious goal. But, if The ICEHOUSE is successful, the result will have a material impact on the economic performance of thousands of Kiwi organisations. I am delighted to be Chair of The ICEHOUSE and to see this goal delivered for New Zealand’s accelerated business growth.”

The current Board comprises Claudia Batten, avid technology entrepreneur based in the United States; Bernie Crosby, founder of Prolife Foods; Anthony Healy, Director of Bank of New Zealand Partners; Peter Lee CEO of UniServices Ltd.; Sean Simpson, chief scientific officer and co-founder of LanzaTech; Sally Synnott, founder of Pumpkin Patch; Greg Whittred, Dean of The University of Auckland Business School; and Tim Williams, internet marketing pioneer.

About The ICEHOUSE

Named one of the top 10 business growth hubs in the world by Forbes magazine, The ICEHOUSE is a business growth centre focused on developing owner-managers and entrepreneurs who will shape the future of New Zealand’s economy. The organisation provides advice and funding for start-ups, a series of learning & development & coaching programmes for owner managed businesses and access to networks and talent that enable the businesses to achieve their growth aspirations.

The ICEHOUSE is backed by the financial support and expertise of the University of Auckland Business School, BNZ, HP, NZTE, Gen-I, Telecom, ATEED, KPMG, JB Were, Microsoft, AJ Park, Paul Diver and Associates and Grafton Consulting Group. Since 2001 The ICEHOUSE has worked with over 4,500 ambitious owner managers – from start-ups to established multi-million dollar companies.

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