Richard Wanhill

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT RICHARD WANHILL

I am a senior leader with expertise in strategy and business development, governance, stakeholder engagement, contract management, marketing, and brand development, both in New Zealand and offshore. I have deep sector in experience in vocational education, arboriculture, horticulture and agriculture. My international business development experience includes establishing registered companies in Singapore and Australia. I\'ve developed, grown and maintained commercial business relationships throughout Southeast Asia, the Pacific, China, Mongolia, Latin America and Africa.I was the Chair of the NZ - China Dairy Farmer Training Partnership (20••••19), a subset of the Agriculture Growth Partnership, and until recently a member of the Primary Industry Training Organisation board (Primary ITO). I was a founding company director and shareholder of horticultural education and consultancy firm, Thoughtplanters.I have 20 years’ of management and 13 years’ board and governance experience within the education, international business, agriculture and horticulture sectors.My previous roles included, director of business development for Taratahi Institute of Agriculture, where I was responsible for strategic partnerships, new business growth, international business, marketing and student recruitment team. Prior to Taratahi I was Director Business Development at the Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec), a role that required me to have a big picture strategic focus on how WelTec engages with the local, regional and international communities. At Thoughtplanters, I was responsible for identifying and developing new business markets. I spearheaded Thoughtplanters international growth into Singapore, Southeast Asia, and Australia. My practical management and leadership experience combined with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree have allowed me to develop in well rounded executive.I consider myself a highly professional yet personable executive. Leadership, customer experience and relationship management are particular strengths and I believe sound relationships are central to all business success. I\'m equally comfortable at the coal face of a company as I am in the board room.