People in business: Appointments

Allan Yeoman has joined Buddle Findlay’s Auckland office as a senior associate in the corporate and commercial team. Mr Yeoman specialises in technology and media law and has recently returned to New Zealand after six years working in the UK.

Powerco has appointed Nigel Barbouras chief executive. Mr Barbour joined Powerco in October 2002 and was electricity general manager before being appointed acting chief executive in March. He is also a board member of the NZ Electricity Networks Association.

Harrison Grierson has appointedGlen Corneliusmanaging director from January 1 next year. Mr Cornelius will succeed Alastair Kent-Johnstonwho is stepping down at the end of December after 18 years leading the company. Mr Cornelius has been with Harrison Grierson for over 16 years, leading the Harrison Grierson Manukau office for the past six. He was appointed as a company director in 2008.

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts has appointed Rodney Craigas a partner in the firm’s Wellington office. Mr Craig was previously a partner at Kensington Swan, where he began his career in 1999. The Wellington office has also recently added three senior associates. Andy Gleniewas previously with Russell McVeagh. Rachael Schmidt-McCleaveformerly worked for the Crown Law Office. Catherine Levermorehas returned to the firm after working for Clifford Chance and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert in the UK.

Ken Moffett has joined Scenic Hotel Group as Scenic Hotel Auckland general manager. Mr Moffett has previous experience managing hotels throughout New Zealand for Scenic Hotel Group, Quality Hotels and Luxy serviced apartments.

TaxTeam has appointed Phil Fisher as a director. Mr Fisher joined TaxTeam as assistant tax manager after immigrating from the UK with his family in 2006.

Richard Smarthas joined B&D Doors as national sales manager. Mr Smart’s previous experience includes a group product manager role with Schneider Electric and a regional sales management role for Carter Holt Harvey Wood Products.

Andrew Morrisonhas been elected to the Ballance Agri-Nutrients board after the annual meeting of the co-operative in Napier last month. Mr Morrison replaces Te Anau-based Owen Buckingham, who retired from his role as South Island director this year after 12 years. In partnership with other family members, Mr Morrison farms 620ha in Eastern Southland and 600ha in South Otago, running sheep, beef and deer.

Ian Loan has joined Scenic Hotel Group as Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier’s general manager. Mr Loan began his hospitality career with Scenic Hotel Groupbefore moving throughout New Zealand and Australia.

Aileen Donnan has been appointed Positively Wellington Venue’s new people and performance manager. Ms Donnan was previously with Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, where she worked for three years as human resources business solutions adviser. Positively Wellington Venue has also been joined by Jo Darbyas conventions and events director. Ms Darby joins PWV after nine years as Acumen Republic events group account director.

MarkBeech has been re-appointed chairman of the LEADR NZ Board. Mr Beech has been a member of LEADR NZ (an association of dispute resolution practitioners) since 2000 and also held the position from 2005-2011. He is a partner in the Tauranga law firm Sharp Tudhope, where he heads the dispute resolutions team.

Mortgage Express has appointed Gary Xieand Darrin Bunt, who will join Cooper and Co Real Estate on Auckland’s North Shore. Mr Bunt will be based at the Birkenhead office and Mr Xie will act as a roving agent across the North Shore and West Auckland. Mr Bunt has spent over 15 years in the UK working in both business development and sales roles as well as working as a mortgage broker in Wellington. Mr Xie has over five years’ experience in the finance sector working as mortgage manager and then an independent broker.

Bravura Solutions has appointedRoland Sleeas Asia Pacific managing director. Previously, Mr Slee was a vice president with Oracle Corporation.

Maureen Maxwell has been appointed regional president for the Oceania Commission of Apimondia, the Rome-based international federation of beekeeping associations. Ms Maxwell has had a long association with New Zealand’s food and wine industry, as one of the founders of Matua Valley Wines, The Hunting Lodge Restaurant and more recently BeesOnline. She has also been on the executive of the National Beekeepers’ Association for five years.

Mako Networks has appointed Jason Neil as a senior systems administrator. Mr Neil is also charged with the security of Mako Networks’ computing systems. Previously he worked as a core application services manager at Vodafone New Zealand where he has held management roles since 2008.

Rishalat Khanhas been appointed as a solicitor in Buddle Findlay’s Auckland corporate and commercial team.

The board of the Industry Training Federation has appointed Mark Oldershawchief executive. He replaces Jeremy Bakerwho left the federation last month to head Learning State, the industry training organisation for the public sector. Mr Oldershaw is Network Communications (NZ) government relations and advocacy director and has held extensive roles in senior management across both the private and public sector.