CEO and Board
Candace Kinser - CEO NZICT
As the CEO of NZICT, Candace is intent on uniting the membership and supporting the growth of the hi-tech industry of New Zealand as innovators, exporters and users of technology for learning, business and entertainment. She is particularly passionate about getting young women interested in education and careers in technology, science and business from a young age.
Candace holds Bachelor's degrees in Anthropology and Political Science from the University of Hawaii, graduate and Master's degrees in business from Massey University in New Zealand. She has also completed advanced studies in bio-pharma at Rutger's University in New Jersey.
Candace is an active Director of NZBIO, the national biotechnology association of New Zealand. She is also on the Advisory Board for the School of Business at Massey University, and regularly speaks to university students and emerging entrepreneurs about women in business, entrepreneurialism and using technology as a means for business growth.
Bennett Medary - Simpl - Chair NZICT
After more than 20 years as a recognised leader in the commercial use of technology - 15 of which have been spent at the helm of The Simpl Group, the systems integration company he founded in 1992 - Bennett Medary doesn't describe his work as creating IT solutions, but rather harnessing technology to enhance peoples lives.
Bennett is a pioneer in New Zealand systems integration, renown for facilitating collaboration among industry sectors and organisations, particularly within the healthcare sector.
Unafraid to question perceived truths or voice views alternative to established thinking, Bennett is a vocal proponent of using vision to drive positive, long-term solutions that benefit New Zealand's productivity and sustainability.
Andrew Hunt - Kinetics Group - Deputy Chair NZICT
Andrew is CEO of Kinetics Group Ltd, an Auckland based system integrator focussed on the small and mid-market sectors. He is actively interested in the wider business environment, and is a director of EMA (Northern) and a member of the Business NZ Council.
He has also been involved in local area network support and design for Small and Medium business. Before forming Kinetics Group, Andrew had roles at Rudd Watts and Stone (now Minter Ellison) and NZI Group.
He graduated from Auckland University with a BSc and a good working knowledge of most varieties of (cheap) beer. He will one day get around to framing the diploma!
Bob Pinchin - Swaytech
Bob Pinchin is currently Director of SwayTech, a specialist marketing and communications company, and has over 25 years experience working in the ICT sector in New Zealand and the UK. SwayTech is also responsible for the running of the highly successful NZ Hi-Tech Awards programme under contract to the Hi-Tech Trust.
Bob has held previous roles as the CEO of both IDG Communications in New Zealand and Unlimited Magazine. He brings a wealth of expertise in advising and supporting growing technology companies around PR, branding and marketing.
Tim Miles - Gen-i
As CEO of Gen-i Australasia, Telecom New Zealands ICT services division, Tim Miles leads a team of passionate people delivering converged technology and telecommunications solutions to corporate and government clients across New Zealand and Australia.
Tim is a highly experienced New Zealand business leader with an outstanding track record across the ICT and telecommunications industries both in New Zealand and internationally.
He started his ICT career in New Zealand with IBM, where he was responsible for public sector customers, and later joined Data General Corporation, rising to Director of Marketing Asia Pacific. From 1994 until 2001 he was with Unisys Corporation in various senior executive roles, before joining the Vodafone group.
Tim was CEO of Vodafone New Zealand for almost four years, then moved to the UK for assignments as CEO of Vodafone UK and Group Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone plc. He returned to New Zealand in late 2006 and was managing director of listed agricultural services group PGG Wrightson until October 2010.
Tim has since been involved in a number of industry and not-for-profit organisations, and joined the Telecom executive team in February 2013.
Tim firmly believes that Gen-i is well placed to assist more and more New Zealand businesses to an exciting ICT future and make an important contribution to the overall success of NZ Inc.
Michael Friedberg - IBM New Zealand
Having been in the ICT industry for over 12 years, Michael is passionate and energetic about the role of technology in the recovery and growth of the New Zealand economy.
Starting his career by establishing his own company, and subsequently selling it, he has held sales and marketing roles within both the reseller and vendor community across Australia and New Zealand. In his current position, Head of Marketing and Communications, he sits on the NZ Executive Team and leads 16 professionals in supporting the NZ business.
He is responsible for driving IBM NZ's business and marketing strategy and the overall effectiveness and impact of IBM's marketing and communications. Michaels team creates and executes the marketing planning, brand awareness, internal/external communications, PR, community programs and demand generation for both IBM and its many business partners throughout the country.
Keith Watson - HP New Zealand
As Managing Director, Keith Watson leads the team at Hewlett Packard New Zealand and in his capacity as General Manager, Enterprise Business he is responsible for leading and managing the Enterprise Business which includes IT infrastructure, business technology services, and software for business and public sector customers.
From 1996 to 1998 he was Senior Vice-President & General Manager for Worldwide Commercial Channels. He then left HP in 1998 to join Silicon Graphics as Executive VP Worldwide Sales & Marketing before returning to New Zealand in 2000.
Keith's vision is for HP New Zealand to be seen as the business partner of choice, and to be continually sought out by like-minded inventive businesses for the quality of its ideas, the creativity of its people and its delivery of world class business outcomes.
John Wadsworth - MIT
John Wadsworth has been the Dean of the Faculty of business at the Manukau Institute of Technology since May 2010. The Faculty teaches business and ICT to Bachelors degree level and business administration and tourism to Diploma level. In addition, the Faculty delivers the southern Cross MBA and DBA throughout New Zealand.
Prior to this, John held various roles in ecnomic develoopment including Chief Executive of Waitakere Enterprise, Chairman of the Economic Development Agencies of New Zealand and was seconded to the Auckalnd Transition Agency to design the economic development function for the new Auckand council including Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development.
Ian Clarke - Fronde
A broadly experienced executive, Ian is the CEO of Fronde Systems Group. Having spent 11 years at the company in a variety of roles and the last two as CEO, Ian brings wide ranging perspectives based on his experience in the IT, energy, broadcasting and agricultural sectors.
A healthy, cohesive and effective technology sector is critically important in enabling New Zealand's economy to grow at a faster rate and compete globally. NZICT has made great progress since inception to become a cohesive and effective voice for ICT in New Zealand. Ian is keen to apply his skills, experience and effort to supporting that progress by joining the board.
Areas in which Ian is particularly interested in contributing include developing ICT workforce depth and quality, engaging with Government regarding policy as well as their procurement strategy, and supporting innovation initiatives.
Paul Muckleston - Microsoft
Paul is currently the Managing Director of Microsoft New Zealand.
Paul is an internationally experienced senior manager with a proven track record in the technology sector. Paul returned to NZ in August 2009 after 4 years with Microsoft based in Paris and then Munich working in the Central & Eastern Europe HQ. Initially as Director of Strategy & Business Management and then as General Manager of the Small & Medium Business, Paul worked with 24 subsidiaries in 33 countries and employed more than 500 staff generating over US$600m in annual revenue.
Previously, Paul was with Microsoft NZ holding a variety of management positions. Paul offers diverse experience across leadership, management, sales, marketing, strategy and business development functions in both start-ups and mature businesses, developed & developing countries, and across line & staff roles.
Paul holds a BBS in International Business and Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Massey University in New Zealand.
Matt Ritchie - NZTE
Matt is a Customer Director for New Zealand's economic development and trade promotion agency New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
(NZTE) and is responsible for leading the Wellington, Manawatu and New Plymouth customer teams. He is also heavily involved with work to help develop and grow New Zealand's ICT, Creative and Services sectors.
Matt joined NZTE in 2005 and has held various roles in the organisation. Prior to joining the NZTE, he worked in the information technology, media and logistics industries in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Matt's qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce (Management) and Science (Industrial Psychology) and he has also completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Auckland.
Jo Healey - Fujitsu
Jo Healey moved to the role of Managing Director of Fujitsu New Zealand in October 2011, where she is responsible for driving Fujitsu's business strategy in New Zealand. Prior to her appointment as Managing Director, Jo was the General Manager of Enterprise Sales New Zealand where she was instrumental in building strategic relationships with customers and partners. Jo's primary objective is to lead Fujitsu New Zealand and support the New Zealand Leadership Team to ensure continued success in the local and global marketplace. Jo's guidance is integral to the eficient running of Fujitsu New Zealand and in maintaining a positive organisation culture. Jo is one of the primary links between Fujitsu New Zealand, Fujitsu Australia and Fujitsu Global.
Prior to joining Fujitsu in November 2006, Jo was with Hewlett Packard, where she held the position of National Sales Manager, Solutions Partner Organisation. Based in Wellington, Jo was responsible for all channel delievered revenues, working closely with HPs reseller partners to grow business in the region.
Jo's career in the IT and services industry internationally spans more than 20 years, and included senior positions in several New Zealand and global companies including Computerland New Zealand, Telecom New Zealand, Conduit International and esolutions New Zealand.