Director

Judith Thompson

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

Manager of Better by Design (Acting)
Luiz Futterleib

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

Business Specialist

Dean Joiner

After gaining a BE Mechanical from Canterbury University, Dean joined Fisher & Paykel Limited in 1970 and over the ensuing 28 years, was instrumental in the adoption of  people centric practices, lean thinking principles and the development of a design enabled culture.  For the last 12 years, Dean 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 J/V's with Carrier and Electrolux that had  combined revenue of  NZ$250 million and 800 staff. Dean began as a Business Specialist with Better by Design in 2006 typically working with larger companies in the program.

dean.joiner@nzte.govt.nz

Business Specialist

Vijayan Kuttan

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

Business Specialist
Ross Pearce

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 

Design Specialist
John Hatrick-Smith

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

Business Specialist
Simon Holbrook

Simon holds a BCA from Wellington's Victoria University, with majors in Management, Marketing and English Literature.

During his final year of study he made progress into his first commercial start-up business, founding an innovative hi-fi audio cable manufacturing company. Gaining recognition at the New Zealand Institute of Design Best awards in the 'best new brand' category, he went on to successfully launch and develop the brand in several key export markets.

After secondments at The University of Auckland Business School and providing business consultancy services, Simon went on to co-found his second start-up business. This company provides careers and motivational services for New Zealand students while supplying recruitment and marketing services for corporate customers.

simon.holbrook@nzte.govt.nz

Learning Experiences Manager

Lisa Warner

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 

Information Manager
Michelle McKenna

Michelle graduated from University College Dublin in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Politics & Sociology. From 2003 -2010 she worked with KBC Bank. KBC Bank is part of a major European financial services group, the KBC Group, which is headquartered in Brussels. It is one of the leading providers of financial services in Ireland looking after a broad range of business and personal banking services.

Michelle began in Business Retention, then moved to Sales Consultant and onto Management where she was involved in piloting and establishing a new Arrears division due to market factors. She brings experience as a Qualified Financial Advisor in a banking background during a changing economic environment.

In her final year in Ireland she graduated with Distinction in Sales, Marketing, Advertising and PR diploma and was looking for a new challenge in a different and exciting environment.

michelle.mckenna@nzte.govt.nz 

Programme Administrator
John Faitala

John Faitala started his career as Statistics and Immigration Officer, then Govt. Payroll and Superannuation, and moving into Senior External Affairs Officer - protocol work to several NZ Governor Generals; Hon. Sandra Lee-Vercoe and Cook Islands Queen's Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin; Desk Officer to FAO (Food & Agriculture Organisation) and Point of contact for regional and international donor agencies. John also worked at La Deese Communication Pty Ltd, Origin Energy Limited (Melbourne) and BP Oil NZ Ltd.

In addition to an NZIM Advance Management Diploma 1994 from Nelson Polytechnic, he also earned a Graduate Diploma & Bachelor of Business - Marketing and International Business at AUT in 2005.

John was member of the Niue Cultural Performing Arts team to the 1996 South Pacific Festival of Arts in Samoa; Niue's delegate to the 1998 JICA Youth Friendship Program in Japan; and Niue's Youth representative to the 1995 PCC Youth Conference in French Polynesia; Youth and Cultural Dance Group Leader.

john.faitala@nzte.govt.nz