Women, businesses do Wellington proud

24 October 2013

Women, businesses do Wellington proud

Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce congratulates three of the city’s top women achievers and five technology companies for national success in their fields.

Chief Executive Raewyn Bleakley says the achievement by Therese Walsh, Fran Wilde, and Mei Chen is something the city can claim as playing a big part in.

Therese Walsh was last night named the inaugural winner of the Fairfax Media and Westpac Women of Influence awards. She heads New Zealand's 2015 Cricket World Cup campaign and was formerly chief operating officer of the company behind 2011's Rugby World Cup. Fran Wilde won the local/regional section of the awards for a "standout contribution" to her many interests, including business, politics and the arts. She has been Wellington Regional Council chair since 2007 and is expected to be re-elected unopposed to the position. Mai Chen, now of Auckland, won the business/entrepreneur section in recognition of the success of her public law firm, Chen Palmer.

“This is well-deserved recognition for three women who have really helped showcase Wellington with their skills and drive. They achieved much of what they have in the city, and we should be proud of them.”

Also achieving big things are five Wellington-based technology companies who have scored highly in the revenue growth ranks.

Technology services firm Datacom has been named the technology business with the largest revenue growth in the country for 2013, with revenue of $870 million. It was also ranked second nationally for total revenue. Weta Digital was estimated to be the tech company with the 10th highest revenue, at about $140m. Cloud-based accounting firm Xero had the fifth highest revenue growth, while IT solutions company Intergen ranked sixth, and Tech solutions firm Fronde seventh.

“Companies such as these clearly contribute a huge amount to Wellington’s economy and are a big part of Wellington’s future. We must make sure we do our best to retain them and attract others like them,” says Raewyn Bleakley.

ENDS

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