Judging Panel
Peter Lamberton
Juding Panel Convenor
Peter has wide-ranging experience in dealing with businesses and understanding the support they need from his 24 years as an effective commercial manager with a leading NZ bank.
He continues to work with business as an owner of Primacc Systems, helping organisations manage complexity within their business and significantly drive efficiency gains and provide comprehensive reporting through the implementation of tailored ERP (enterprise resource planning) software.
He is also experienced in successfully guiding strategic change as the former chairperson of several organisations, and has been a mentor for both the AUT (Beta) and Massey University (e-Centre) incubator programmes. Peter has previously been a NZ judge for the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA)
Caroline Rose
Caroline completed her PhD in Genetics and Microbiology at the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Study (Massey University, Albany) before continuing her scientific research in New Zealand and internationally. Passionate about the environment, she has turned her focus to waste prevention and the role that technology and communities play in supporting environmental initiatives for the benefit of future generations. In her role in the Waste Solutions department at Auckland Council Caroline analyses data and has helped to pull together the evidence that underpins Auckland Council’s Draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan, which sets out the actions needed for Auckland to achieve Zero Waste by 2040.
Chris Hancox
Chris has 25 years’ experience working in, and leading businesses that are focused on the development, manufacture, and supply of products for the building and construction industry. With a Bachelor of Technology degree, specialising in Product Development, Chris spent the early part of his career working in and leading product design teams focused on the development of innovative new products. As a business leader, Chris is a firm believer that innovation and continuous improvement is critical to business success. Chris is currently SVP & Head of ASSA ABLOY New Zealand, the same company where he spent the first 12 years of his career. ASSA ABLOY New Zealand, is one of the North Shore’s largest employers with 220 employees.
Chris Todd
Chris is Managing Director of Parkland Products, a business he founded in 1988 to import and distribute TORO turf equipment from the USA. It was one of the first businesses to be located in the then newly established North Harbour Industrial Estate. Over the years, Parkland has grown, with staff and offices in Hamilton, Palmerston North, Christchurch, Cromwell and in Australia.
Chris has a finance background and an MBA from the University of Otago. He has served on a number of commercial and not-for-profit Boards in NZ and overseas including St John Northern Region Trust Board and as Chair of St John Silverdale.
Chris believes that SMEs are the backbone of the NZ economy. Business North Harbour is doing an excellent job of supporting SMEs in the district. He looks forward to making a contribution to the continuing success of the organisation and the businesses it serves.
Damon Paling
Damon Paling currently serves as an Executive Director with Rosedale-based Grin Natural Products and has held governance roles with other North Shore based consumer product businesses, namely Karen Murrell and Lifestream. Damon is an external Beachheads Advisor with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, helping Kiwi companies grow internationally. Damon has also served as a judge on the China Export Awards in the large exporter category. Damon previously lived in China for 15 years working with PwC, a consulting firm, and NZTE, as their Trade Commissioner in Shanghai.
Ian MacLeod
Ian began his career as an engineer and marine surveyor before transitioning in to management and leadership roles and has held a number of governance roles in industry associations, secondary and tertiary education and training organisations. For the past 4 years Ian has been providing business coaching and management consulting services to a range of New Zealand businesses and uses his engineering background to analyse and understand business performance, identify opportunities for improvement and support clients so that they can achieve their business and personal goals.
Jenny Lingjuan WANG QSM
Jenny Lingjuan WANG QSM (Med, Bsc & Dip SW) – Founder and Executive Director of CNSST Foundation (formerly known as Chinese New Settlers Services Trust) in New Zealand. Jenny has been known as a social entrepreneur, who over 25 years has built a strong NGO that provides a range of services to Asian/Ethnic migrant communities in Auckland NZ. Jenny came to NZ with her family from China in 1994 and she founded the CNSST Foundation in 1998 in her home garage with a group of volunteers, and now the organisation offers professional community services including social services, education and social housing to around 15,000 local new migrants each year to help them with settling in New Zealand successfully. Jenny received the Queen’s Service Medal(QSM) in 2008, the Kiwi Bank local hero award 2016 and the Foundation North Community Star award 2019 in recognition of her contribution to local Ethnic/migrant communities.
Richard Todd
Richard Todd is the General Manager of Parkland Products in Rosedale.
Richard has a passion for small businesses and a background in marketing, operations, logistics, IT systems and accounting. His broad skillset gives him a passion for every aspect of running a business and the wisdom to know when to defer to experts.
Tori Calver
Tori leads the Sustainable Business Network’s advisory service and oversees its training programmes. She advises organisations on becoming more resilient and regenerative. She's worked in both the for-profit and not- for-profit sectors, giving her a wide understanding of the challenges various organisations face. She helps businesses identify what they need to do and how to focus their efforts.
