Better by Design is part of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and operates from its Auckland office.
Judith has overall responsibility for the management and delivery of the Better by Design programmes including the Design Integration Programme,Design Integration Funding, design internships, and education course delivery.With a background in consulting and project management, Judith has held economic development roles with both Industry New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.Judith’s most recent role was Sector Manager of Creative Industries where she had responsibility for strategic and business planning for NZTE’s engagement with the creative industries sector, including entertainment, fashion, textiles and digital media.
judith.thompson@nzte.govt.nz
Dean was GM Manufacturing at Fisher & Paykel Appliances for the last 10of his 28 years with the company and played an active part in introducing many of the initiatives that have resulted in their design-led culture today.He has spent the last six years in Saudi Arabia, concurrently managing two joint venture companies with Carrier and Electrolux.During that time he introduced design-led cultures which contributed to a combined improvement in revenue of $50 million.Dean joined Better by Design in October 2006 and is working to support companies through the Design 360 process of the DesignIntegration Programme and helping them implement the recommendations identified in their Design 360 plan.
Dean.joiner@nzte.govt.nz
Luizhas 25 years experience in manufacturing, operations, strategic and operational planning, finances and marketing. He has held general management roles with electronics company, Ampac Int. Systems, and Water Solutions New Zealand – the manufacturer of large volume watert reatment systems. With a masters degree in electronics engineering, Luiz worked as a design engineer in the computers industry in Brazil before starting his own company manufacturing printed circuit boards.He emigrated to New Zealand in 1993.
luiz.futterleib@nzte.govt.nz
Vijayan has 25 years experience in starting and managing businesses in Australasia. He was Operations Director of Lion Nathan China when Lion Nathan started their business in China. In his last role as General Manager of Van Leer/Huhtamaki New Zealand, he played a major role in many initiatives that led to new product development and service innovation. His most recent role has been with NZTE in the Napier office.
vijayan.kuttan@nzte.govt.nz
Ross has over 30 years experience working as an industrial design consultant and business development professional both in the New Zealand and Australian markets.
A graduate of the Wellington Polytechnic School of Design, career highlights include the founding of Konstrukt Design - a Sydney based product design consultancy - and work in a design-based business development role for one of Australia's most innovative tier-one automotive suppliers.
Over the past five years, Ross has sat on the executive board and has championed and managed product development and design integration projects for a number of New Zealand's most iconic manufacturing companies.
ross.pearce@nzte.govt.nz
John has over 30 years experience as a product designer most recently leading KOHLER Australasia’s in-house New Product Development Programme.
He designed the well-known ‘Gentle Annie’ washing machine control panel technology (more recently known as the ‘Smart Drive’) at Fisher & Paykel and also developed the renowned WorkZone office furniture range for Criterion.
John helps the programme’s clients use design strategically. He also works with the design community to ensure its skill levels are matched to the needs of business, with the aim of encouraging a ready supply of world class designers and design services.
Another focus is the education sector to make sure graduates of design, commerce and engineering courses are up to date with the design needs and capabilities of each profession.
john.hatrick-smith@nzte.govt.nz
Lisa has a background in executive support, senior administration and event management roles within a wide range of industries including business coaching, travel, IT and property advisory. She also has experience working within multi-national companies while she was based in Europe for seven years. Before joining Better by Design, Lisa was working with The Results Group, a respected NZ business coaching company, which made the Deloitte Fast 50 list in 2008.
lisa.warner@nzte.govt.nz
Megan graduated from Otago University in 2003 with a Bachelor in Commerce with honours in management and a major in finance.
While at University Megan worked part-time as a research analyst and undertook a major research project for the Alliance Group in Invercargill. She then spent a number of years travelling overseas, working in various roles within the banking and education sectors.
Prior to joining the Better by Design team, Megan worked as an Assistant Business Manager at the ANZ National Bank in Hamilton, where she was responsible for managing relationships with small business customers.
megan.cockroft@nzte.govt.nz