National Office - Ken Stevens: 2009 chair of Export NZ

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Media release
October 10, 2008

Export NZ is pleased to announce Ken Stevens as the chairman of its new national board.

The appointment follows the strategic alliance of Export NZ with Business NZ in July – strengthening services to exporters.

Business NZ chief executive Phil O’Reilly says he is delighted to welcome the founder and managing director of Glidepath Group to the board.

“With more than 30-years of exporting experience, Ken is a tremendous asset to the organisation with real capacity to add to the value Export NZ demonstrates to members.

“It’s an exciting new season for the organisation and we couldn’t have asked for a better team. I’m looking forward to the new opportunities to grow the brand with the weight of Business NZ regionally, nationally and internationally."

Mr Stevens is also enthusiastic about the opportunities of the role.

“It’s exciting to be a part of this new team delivering services to exporters and, we hope, introducing many more exporters to a lucrative future in exporting."

Mr Stevens is confident that exporters will show resilience in the face of a global economic downturn.

“Even though world markets are looking creaky at the moment, exporters are resilient creatures and many will be looking ahead to keep doing good business and to earn a place in global markets."

Other Export NZ board members are:
- Tony Nowell (New Zealand representative on APEC Business Advisory Council, Board member of Asia NZ Foundation, chair NZ Packaging Accord Governing Council)
- Craig Ellison (Board member NZTE, Airways Corp, NIWA, Absolute Foods, Seafoods Standards Council)
- Sarah Kennedy (managing director, Healtheries)
- Rob Jeffrey (director, Kiwifruitz)
- Bob Walters (former chief executive, Export NZ)
- Phil O’Reilly (chief executive, Business NZ).

Established in 1976, Export NZ has been helping its members (exporters and export service providers) grow their businesses in the international market place.

A strategic alliance with Business NZ in 2008 has strengthened services to exporters. An export division of Business NZ now provides exporters with national and international representation along with increased advocacy and advice services.
At a local level, events and services are operated from the export divisions of Business NZ’s regional business associations: Employers and Manufacturers Association Central (EMA Central), Employers and Manufacturers Association Northern (EMA Northern), the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and the Otago Southland Employers’ Association.