Board

I am delighted to be included in the Alandale team and one of the custodians of this beautiful Village.  An independent Director and Trustee of Alandale since 2014, I find my values and beliefs about the Village are still aligned and grow stronger as I understand its attractions and compare these with what’s available in the expanding retirement sector. 

After 25 years working as a specialist veterinarian including eight years as executive director of a biotechnology company taken from start-up to sale, it was time to pursue other goals. Already an active equities and property investor, I am using my business and investment skills in governance in both not for profit and commercial sectors. With husband Jeff, and son Christopher we enjoy a beach house at Whangamata, water skiing on the Waikato River and good company. 

 

Since moving from Christchurch to Hamilton in 2008 to take up the role of Principal at Waikato Diocesan School, I have been an enthusiastic advocate of the city. I enjoy its natural environment, the active lifestyle it offers and the exciting growth and development that is increasingly evident. Nine years of leading the Dio community has also confirmed for me the importance of community engagement to personal purpose and wellbeing. For these reasons, I felt an immediate affinity with the purpose of the Alandale Foundation and look forward to utilising my governance, executive and property development skills and experience for the benefit of the village. I am committed to preserving and enhancing Alandale’s exceptional environment, first-rate facilities and vibrant community spirit and I support the philosophy which allows residents the independence of owning their own homes while also enjoying the security, opportunities and companionship of the village lifestyle.

In 2017 I relinquished the Principal’s role and my husband and I have valued the flexibility this affords us to visit our children overseas and to become more involved in the wider Waikato community. I am currently on the boards of Trust Waikato and the Perry Outdoor Education Trust and I find governance in the not for profit sector to be particularly satisfying. I am also a member of the Institute of Directors and a contractor with the NZ School Trustees Association, providing professional development in governance to school boards.

 

I am passionate about governance, property, sustainability and building communities. With 12 years of board experience and over 20 years of senior management experience in the property industry, I have a deep understanding of the risks and rewards of the industry. I am a member of the Institute of Directors and have a Masters of Business Administration from Massey University.

Experience has taught me that having a long term focus drives the best outcome and returns for shareholders as well as delivering the best outcome for the built environment and the community. I have an extensive network of business and property relationships and am currently a Property Development Manager for Auckland International Airport. Current directorships include the Lake House Arts Trust in Takapuna, Auckland and the New Zealand Green Building Council.

I was born in Hamilton and attended Horsham Downs Primary School. I now have 4 children and live on Auckland’s North Shore but my memories of growing up in the Waikato are very strong which is where my interest in becoming involved with Alandale retirement village started. This is a unique community offering the benefit of freehold titles in one of the best parts of Hamilton nestled on the banks of the Waikato River. I am pleased to be part of the dedicated board looking to protect and enhance this wonderful development.

I was born in Morrinsville and have spent most of my life in Hamilton, completing my primary, secondary and tertiary education in Hamilton. 

I am a director of Braithwaite and Pearks Limited, a Chartered Accounting firm in central Hamilton with clients ranging from large corporates to small sole traders.  I am a fully qualified chartered accountant (NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants) and have successfully completed the Company Directors Course with the Institute of Directors.  This, along with my governance experience has given me comprehensive experience in financial and risk management and an understanding of the role, duties, skills and knowledge required by directors.  

Currently I am on the Board, and am Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, for both Hospice Waikato and NZ National Fieldays Society Inc.  I have only recently retired from the Board of Waikato Diocesan School for Girls after nearly 11 years.  I am passionate about governance and find governance in the not for profit sector fulfilling.  I believe it is important to be involved with organisations where your values and beliefs align.  This is particularly what attracted me to Alandale and I fully support the philosophy of independent living of the residents while still being part of a vibrant and active community lifestyle.

I am a retired secondary mathematics teacher with a special interest in those students who struggle with learning.

Since arriving in Alandale Village in 2014 I have become very involved in many aspects of village life, especially the Art and Craft Group, and when I began to show an interest in village governance, I was asked to stand for the Trust Board.

I am enjoying the task of being involved in the governing of the village with its varied and complex issues.

I have spent the last 57 Years involved in the construction industry, mostly in the supervision of
multi-storied building construction and a full range of housing.

I was a contract Assessor for the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment for many years to assess New Zealand builders for their licenses. I have been involved in the construction of three retirement villages in Auckland and Mt Maunganui. After volunteer work I have been involved in extensive construction work for the Woman’s Refuge in Hamilton. 

After looking at many Auckland villages I moved to Alandale 5 years ago to be closer to family and because of its connection to the Waikato river and all the associated river walking and biking tracks, added to this, the model of buying and selling your own unit on the open market appealed to my wife and myself. The social life and facilities are all superb. I look forward to playing my part on the board as a trustee and Director to help enhance the village to new heights.

 

Ruth and I moved into the village in 2017.  We appreciate what a great privilege it is to live in the Alandale community.  Since our arrival I have served briefly as secretary of the Social Committee followed by Treasurer of Advisory Committee.  These roles have enabled me to meet many village residents.  In the wider community I have served as a Trustee, Treasurer, committee person and advisor on a number community trusts and organisations.

My employment history was in Finance / Management roles for five dairy companies followed by Business Manager of St Paul’s Collegiate School.  In this role I not only had the responsibility for finance and administration of 6 entities within the Waikato Anglican College Trust group, but also for the management of buildings, facilities and grounds of the two campuses including oversight and management of some significant capital projects.

On the academic side I was a Chartered Accountant for 40 years and have also graduated with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Waikato.

My passion is to use the experience I have gained to the benefit of the Alandale community.