The Icehouse welcomes new talent to its board

Craig Donaldson, Global CEO of Kea, has been appointed to the board of business growth hub The Icehouse. Mr Donaldson has been one of New Zealand’s most prominent figures in the global financial sector prior to returning home with his family in 2014. 

Chris Quin, Chair of The Icehouse, says he and the other board members are excited to have Mr Donaldson join them.

“The board of the Icehouse see strategic value in linking up the activities of supporting Kiwi SME and entrepreneurs with the global diaspora of New Zealand and Craig’s appointment provides a great link between the Icehouse and Kea for the benefit of these Kiwi firms.”

Mr Donaldson has held senior management positions at some of the world’s largest financial institutions, including the Royal Bank of Scotland, Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch and Banker’s Trust. He currently sits on Boards for organisations across a range of sectors. As the former head of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s North American Foreign Exchange business, Mr Donaldson led the division’s growth into the top five foreign exchange businesses in North America. Mr Donaldson is well known and regarded within the Kea network.

Mr Donaldson says he is looking forward to working with the other board members on the strategic direction of The Icehouse.

“One of the things I observed since coming back from New York was the opportunity and need to amplify the message of Kiwi entrepreneurs into global networks. We have some work to-do in NZ to make this easier for both the entrepreneurs and our Kiwi friends around the world. I am excited to be joining the board of the Icehouse and supporting it to achieve some important ambitions for New Zealand into the future.”

In addition to Mr Donaldson, the current board members include- Chris Quin, Chairman and currently CEO of Spark Home, Mobile & Business; Andy Shenk, CEO UniServices; Anne Catley, Finance Director Stolthaven Australasia; Anthony Healy, MD and CEO of Bank of New Zealand; Claudia Batten, Director, The Americas, NZTE; Greg Whittred, Dean of the UOA Business School; Sean Simpson, co-founder and CSO, Lanzatech; and Tim Williams, Internet Entrepreneur and Investor. Recently Sean Simpson, Claudia Batten and Tim Willams have renewed their director terms for a further 2 years to 2017.