Consumer Advocate moves on

3 September 2006

Consumer Advocate moves on

New Zealand’s leading consumer advocate, Consumer chief executive David Russell, is to move on in March next year to new challenges. This is after more than 30 years fighting for the rights of Kiwi consumers.

The announcement comes in a year that has seen considerable change for the privately-run institute. Earlier in the year the organisation rebranded itself as “Consumer” and launched revamped versions of Consumer magazine and its website www.consumer.org.nz.

Chairman Mark Bedford described Mr Russell as a “living legend”.

“Consumer enjoys a brand reputation second to none, and a large part of that is David’s remarkable integrity and commitment to New Zealand consumers,” said Mr Bedford.

“For 30 years David has fought the fight of the good against shonky salespeople, bureaucratic government agencies and slippery corporates. But at the same time he’s guided Consumer through some tumultuous changes with an eye to the future.”

Today Consumer provides independent advice across a wide variety of industries such as electricity pricing, banking, insurance and building as well as the more traditional product comparisons. Examples include “Powerswitch” a service for selecting the best electricity company and “Consumer Build” which provides quality independent advice for Kiwis building houses.

The Consumer board has commenced an international search to find a new chief executive.

Among other interests, Mr Russell will be joining internet book trader, New Zealand Books Abroad, as its development manager.

ENDS

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