5 Business Leaders in NZ Who are Making a Difference

New Zealand is often hailed as a paradise for its natural beauty, but this beautiful country is also making waves in the business world. With a population of nearly five million, it is a relatively small market by global standards, but that hasn’t stopped innovative and visionary business leaders from emerging. Here are five business leaders in NZ who are making a difference:

1. Sir Stephen Tindall

Sir Stephen Tindall is the founder and former CEO of The Warehouse Group, one of the largest retail chains in New Zealand. He has since retired from the day-to-day running of the business but remains a major shareholder and board member. Tindall has been a champion of sustainable business practices and has been recognized for his philanthropic work through the Tindall Foundation, which supports charitable causes in the community.

2. Vaughan Rowsell

Vaughan Rowsell is the founder and CEO of Vend, a cloud-based point-of-sale and retail management software company. Vend has been a game-changer for small businesses, making it possible for them to compete on a level playing field with larger retailers. Rowsell is passionate about empowering small businesses and has spoken about the importance of creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurs in New Zealand.

3. Theresa Gattung

Theresa Gattung is a prominent businesswoman and philanthropist who has been involved in a range of businesses over the years. She is best known for her time as the CEO of Telecom New Zealand, where she was the first female CEO of a publicly listed company in New Zealand. Since stepping down from Telecom, Gattung has been involved in a number of charitable initiatives and has been an advocate for gender diversity in business.

4. Peter Beck

Peter Beck is the founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, a space technology company that specializes in launching small payloads into orbit. Rocket Lab has achieved unprecedented success in the space industry, including being the first private company to launch a rocket into orbit from New Zealand. Beck is a self-taught rocket scientist who has been recognized as a pioneer in the industry.

5. Lillian Grace

Lillian Grace is the founder and CEO of Figure.NZ, a not-for-profit organization that makes data about New Zealand more accessible to everyone. Figure.NZ has been instrumental in making data-driven decision-making more accessible to businesses and has been recognized for its role in promoting transparency and accountability. Grace is a passionate advocate for social entrepreneurship and has been recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Conclusion

These five business leaders in NZ exemplify the innovative and dynamic nature of the business community in New Zealand. They are not just successful entrepreneurs but also leaders who are making a positive impact on their communities and the wider world. Through their vision, passion, and determination, they are shaping the future of business in New Zealand and beyond.