Executive Appointments

Margaret Devlin has been appointed chairwoman of Harrison Grierson.She replaces Gary Clark. Harrison Grierson is a leading Australasian engineering and design company. Ms Devlin has more than 20 years’ experience at senior executive and director level in the infrastructure and retail sectors in New Zealand and the UK. She was previously the managing director of UK water company SouthEast Water. She is chairwoman of Epic, CF Reese, Scott Sheet Metal Manufacturing and the Waikato branch of the Institute of Directors and deputy chairwoman of WEL Networks. She is also a director of City Care, Moto International Holdings and the Institute of Directors Accreditation Board.  

Rhema Broadcasting Group has appointed Mike Brewer chief executive. Mr Brewer is general manager of Taranaki Newspapers, a division of Fairfax Media. Previously Mr Brewer spent 10 years with Radioworks, starting in sales and culminating in sales and general management. He has also worked overseas in Australia and the UK in the telecommunications and security industries.

Boffa Miskell has appointed Kerry Gupwell chief executive.  Mr Gupwell has over 25 years’ experience in senior management positions including 10 years as general manager and then chief executive for a professional services organisation in New Zealand and Australia.  Boffa Miskell is an employee-owned environmental planning and design consultancy.

Healthvision (New Zealand) Ltd has appointed Sean Conroy chief executive. Mr Conroy has been national operations manager with Healthvision for the past three and a half years and has previously held senior positions with Summerset Group, ING New Zealand and Healthcare NZ. Catherine Robertson has moved from her role as marketing manager at Healthvision to general manager-operations. Ms Robertson has also been primary health manager with Smith & Nephew and has held senior positions with ASB Bank and Geneva Health.

AMI Insurance has appointed Matthew Cody general manager following its acquisition by Insurance Australia Group. Mr Cody was AMI’s executive manager information support.

Nigel Kerr has been appointed sales and marketing manager for Ngai Tahu Tourism’s southern regional office. Mr Kerr’s experience includes 21 years at Cardrona Alpine Resort. He has also worked for Queenstown’s Good Group. Mr Kerr has run his own marketing consultancy business, Synergy in Business since 2009. The Ngai Tahu Tourism southern regional office oversees Shotover Jet, Dart River Safaris and Hollyford Track Guided Walks.

Harcourts Group has appointed Josephine Kinsell anorthern regional business development manager. Previously manager of Harcourts’ Howick office, Ms Kinsella has owned her own real estate agency on the Gold Coast, Australia before moving across the Tasman. She has over 15 years’ experience from directorships, senior management and sales experience across advertising, tourism, aviation and real estate experience. She succeeds Ross Dowie, who is now manager for Harcourts Blue Fern Realty in Henderson.

Singapore Airlines has appointed Edwin Chiang general manager New Zealand. He was most recently general manager of the airline’s Egypt and North Africa office, based in Cairo. Previously, he has been passenger service manager in Singapore, regional marketing manager for West Asia and Africa, manager of Punjab, India, manager of Andhra Pradesh, India, manager for Western of Japan. He replaces James Lim.

Christchurch-based law firm MDS Law has promoted Sarah Fields to associate. Ms Fields specialises in property law.

Wellington fund manager Harbour Asset Management (Harbour) has appointed Susanna Fuerst as an assistant Investment analyst. Previously, Ms Fuerst was a quantitative investment analyst with AMP Capital. Ms Fuerst holds a Dean’s List Award for her bachelor of business studies (Honours) in finance from Massey University and a bachelor of commerce and administration and graduate diploma of commerce from Victoria University of Wellington.

Partners Life has appointed Sean Kam chief financial officer. Mr Kam was previously chief financial officer with Heartland New Zealand. His revious roles include 10 years as chief operating officer ABN Amro New Zealand.

Dr Barbara Disley has been appointed chief executive of the Richmond New Zealand Trust, a non-government organisation that provides community-based mental health and disability support services countrywide. Dr Disley’s previous roles include chairwoman of the Mental Health Commission, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation and deputy secretary of education.