Expertise and Experience Across The Team

Stuart Ayres

Stuart is an experienced business person, financial and business consultant, adviser and coach. A strategic thinker who thrives on challenges and implementing the strategy, helping business owners realise their goals, optimise profitability and value in their enterprise. 

He brings many real world experiences and skills holding senior management and governance positions in corporate, government and SMEs including CEO of start- ups, one of which involved complex manufacturing and distribution globally, another a dispute resolution scheme for the government.

Stuart has built an extensive array of skills including leadership, coaching, relationship, project and financial management, sales and marketing, business systems, conflict resolution, credit assessment, policy advice. A skilled writer and excellent communicator at all levels and walks of life.

Stuart has provided advice to many businesses types including rural, manufacturing, retail, exporters, finance companies, professional services, tourism, transport, distribution, trades, civil works, construction. He is actively involved in the community through Rotary, business groups and sports bodies. He is a member of the Institute of Directors.

His hands on experiences span banking, finance, dispute resolution, manufacturing, distribution, import, export, tourism, media, civil construction, building, commercial and residential property development and investment.

Chris Jackson

Chris is an experienced independent business transformation adviser and programme director with deep experience in change management particularly in the financial services sector. Chris has international experience and has a history of success in building delivery capability across multiple markets in Asia, New Zealand and Australia for significant organisations including AIA, AIG, AXA and Manulife.

Chris holds a BA and ran his own advisory company from 1995 until 2017. His experience is predominantly within the financial services sector. He has also undertaken successful assignments in the Public Sector, SMEs and in energy.

He has held senior executive positions in multi-national organisations and as an adviser to a number of organisations within New Zealand, Australia and Asia.

Chris has led significant strategic implementations from concept to delivery to organisations involved in fast moving markets. He has been involved in leading and supporting some high profile Merger and Acquisition and divestment strategies.

 

Chris brings a depth of commercial skills covering financials, marketing, business development, organisational restructuring, strategy and governance and facilitation.

He is equally comfortable providing support to SME's. Chris is actively involved in community based organisations and participates in numerous outdoor activities.

Wayne Mills

Wayne Mills has been a business consultant since 1998. Following a period contracting to Treasury he worked extensively with Contact Energy including responsibility for the integration of certain acquired energy retailing companies. He led the project teams associated with securing resource consents for the company’s large scale hydro, geothermal and wind power projects and has developed considerable expertise in RMA processes including the new Board of Inquiry process.

Wayne is experienced at third party negotiation and consultation including Maori kanohi ki te kanohi and has led large transmission line easement consultation with rural landowners. He has provided M&A advice to a number of public companies and second tier banks and has undertaken advisory roles with a number of local authorities.

HE holds a BCA in accounting and is a CA (Ret.). He also has practical experience and training in applying he recently developed valuation methodology for Social Return on Investment - an accounting-based framework against which social, economic and environmental value can be measured.

His skills also include making written policy submissions to government on behalf of private sector companies and alliances as well as meeting with public sector agencies and Ministers of the Crown to argue the case for his clients.

Other recent projects include advisory services to International Container Lines on proposed changes in legislation, surveys of the social impact on people affected by coastal erosion in the Hawkes Bay area, submissions to government on various policy proposals and stakeholder survey work for Te Ohu Kaimoana.