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
After gaining a BE Mechanical from Canterbury University, Dean joined Fisher & Paykel Limited in late 1970 and over the ensuring 28 years was instrumental in the adoption of a people centric culture, lean thinking principles and more latterly the adoption of a design enabled culture. For the last 12 years he held the position of General Manager Whiteware Manufacturing leading the operating design and manufacture divisions in New Zealand and Australia.
In 1999 he moved to the Middle East and over the following six years concurrently led two joint venture companies with Carrier and Electrolux that had a combined turnover of approximately NZ$200m. He again led the rapid adoption of the above culture change initiatives along with the introduction of completely new product offerings. This led to a major turnaround in business performance.
Dean began working with Better by Design in 2006 and has enjoyed assisting larger New Zealand exporting companies to significantly improve business performance by adopting design enabled principles throughout their organisations.
dean.joiner@nzte.govt.nz
Originally from Brazil, Luiz holds a Master of Science Degree in Electronics Engineering, and started his career as a computer hardware designer in 1978. He later opened his own electronics company, manufacturing printed circuit boards. As an entrepreneur for more than 10 years, Luiz has hands on business experience in strategic and operational planning, manufacturing, finance and marketing.
Since emigrating to New Zealand in 1993, he has held a number of management positions, including General Manager of Ampac Int. Ltd, an electronics manufacturer; Managing Director of Filterzone Limited, manufacturer of water treatment systems and Managing Director of Innovative Retail Group Limited, a retail and Internet e-commerce company.
Luiz joined Better by Design in March 2006 and is passionate about helping New Zealand companies to succeed by embedding design in their business proposition and offering.
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