Experience

Symons Group

• New Zealand
• Truck Transportation
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Group General Manager

  • Apr 2018 - Present

  Symons Group began with the establishment of Symons Transport in 1984 by Graham and Jill Symons. Today, the company has developed extensively in the transport, energy, land farming and property development industries. Symons Transport: * Own and operate 70 stainless truck and trailer tankers operating throughout the North Island * Liquid cartage includes a range of food grade products including milk, wine and water * Dangerous Goods cartage of fuels, oils and natural gas condensate * Bulk cartage including drilling pipe, containers and over dimensional loads Symons Energy: * Purpose built storage facilities for drilling pipe * Pipe treatment and handling facility * Warehousing facilities are the Groups own large multi-purpose site in Bell Block Symons Property: * Multiple sites exceeding 50,000 sqm throughout Bell Block * Managed warehousing facilities * Workshop, truck wash, CIP and refuelling facilities The Group is proud of its Taranaki origins, family based values and has become well known for high quality, well presented equipment, attention to detail and strict regard for safety practices.



Location Homes

• New Plymouth

• Director

  • Mar 2018 - Present

  We specialise in building Affordable Luxury Thinking about building your own Affordable Luxury? We’d love to talk. We are specialists in designing family homes, holiday beach houses, second dwellings or studios. All designs are individualised to suit your budget, lifestyle and tastes. At Location Homes we specialise in creating ‘Affordable Luxury’ homes, where attention is paid to the smallest detail, in the most cost-efficient manner. When you choose to build with Location Homes, you begin a partnership with a team of people who are dedicated to creating something so much more than a structure to live in. We have a strong focus on design efficiency and creativity, while ensuring each client achieves their own unique form of Affordable Luxury in their home. Whether it’s figuring out how to accommodate your beloved coffee machine, or choosing the fittings to suit your style, we’re all about getting the little things right (not-to-mention the big stuff and everything in between too). So every time you come home, you’re walking into a place of craftsmanship and comfort. To find out more about creating your own Affordable Luxury, contact the Location Homes office in your region, or call us toll free on 0508 562 284 or get in touch with me directly.



Pathway 1 Foundation

• New Zealand

• Trustee

  • Jun 2015 - Present

  Pathway 1 is the pathway of courage! Pathway 1 is a term David Galbraith (founder of Pathway 1 Foundation and performance psychologist) evolved from his reading about Sir Edmund Hillary, and then with his recent work with elite athletes/teams and people seeking to unleash their personal or professional greatness! It has become a powerful representation to many of them for how they now embrace their lives from pure courage. Pathway 1 is the pathway of courage! Pathway 1 is a term David Galbraith (founder of Pathway 1 Foundation and performance psychologist) evolved from his reading about Sir Edmund Hillary, and then with his recent work with elite athletes/teams and people seeking to unleash their personal or professional greatness! It has become a powerful representation to many of them for how they now embrace their lives from pure courage.



Armstrong's

• New Zealand
• Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Group Operations Manager

  • Mar 2016 - Dec 2017

  Since beginning in 1993 Armstrong Motor Group has become New Zealand’s Largest Retailer of Motor Vehicles with over 500 staff, 13 dealerships and turnover exceeding $400,000,000 Key Responsibilities: I worked with 13 Dealer Principals (of which 6 reported directly to me), 12 Service Managers, 12 Parts Managers and 15 Business Managers. Additionally, in July 2017 I was given the opportunity to also manage the Auckland and Wellington regions for AMG with its 6 dealerships (4 Volume, 2 Prestige dealerships). The MD required an assessment of the business to more clearly understand performance issues and root cause. During the period of engagement I uncovered key performance areas which I led the restructure of a number of the business units: • Developing a clear plan to achieve the target for the absorbency benchmark: After analysation of the after sales departments across the group and meeting the respective teams it became clear the following 3 key components would influence most: client retention, performance, and heavy focus on protecting Gross Profit. • Lifting Customer Experience: I worked closely with AMG’s CRM Manager on a group focus on customer experience and retention. Also, a key focus was on performance of the technical team improving both productivity and efficiency and ultimately Gross Profit. • Revenue Analysis: AMG had targets for revenue generated by the F&I business units but little awareness of where the income was coming from against industry benchmarks. After gaining awareness of where AMGs results sat, I was tasked with securing a group provider for our F&I Business Units and began creating a plan for our Business Managers which has seen a lift of 15% in average profit per vehicle sold in the 17/18 FY. Key Achievements: • Service GP $’s rose by 22% year on year in the 17/18 FY. • Parts GP $’s improved by 7% year on year in the 17/18 FY. • Lift of 15% improvement in average profit per vehicle sold. Over 8000 vehicles sold.



Flexability Limited

• New Zealand
• Business Consulting and Services

• Managing Director

  • 2003 - 2016

  I established Flexability after owning and successfully selling a number of companies. I worked and mentored over 20 businesses using an application tool I designed, The Flexability Model™. Extending out from my passion for high-performance sports and the key performance areas delivering success – particularly in golf, I identified the opportunity to translate these KPA’s into commercial outcomes through developing a framework for business improvement – The Flexability Model™ which I use as the foundation to build a culture of accountability and success. Applying this model for over 10 years has translated into increased profitability and team engagement across a range of organisations where success has been about knowing but more about doing the doing. I have used this model to deliver key business outcomes across the various businesses I have led over the last 15 years. If you'd like to discuss how i can assist your organisation to springboard performance, growth, people and capability then get in touch with me.



U MANAGEMENT

• Worldwide

• Player Manager & Caddy

  • 2005 - 2015

  In 2005, I founded a management company looking after some of New Zealand’s most promising golf amateurs who were turning professional. I had an interest and passion for the game and set out to understand what were the key attributes that made up the world’s best players. I began using an Olympic Standard Management Program. I managed and mentored in total eight Professional Golfers from New Zealand and Australia including Ryan Fox and Mark Brown. Achievements Developed golf talent to compete at Golf’s Major Championships. Highlights of my management were Ryan Fox playing in The Open Championship at St. Andrews Scotland, in 2015 where I caddied for him, and Mark Brown playing in the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield, Scotland.



Armstrong Motor Group

• Wellington

• General Manager

  • 2010 - 2011

  Armstrong Motor Group is New Zealand’s Largest Retailer of Motor Vehicles. Since beginning in 1993 with its first dealership is now has 13 dealerships, over 500 staff, 13 dealerships and turnover exceeding $400,000,000 Key Responsibilities: AMG approached me to prepare one of its dealerships up for future growth, as the business had struggled under previous management. Key Achievements: • Best net profit achievement in its history • We over-achieved all targets for sales and the after-sales business units. The turnover increased by over 20% year on year and produced the businesses best ever profit.



NZ Vehicle Distributors Transport Ltd

• Wellington

• Managing Director

  • 2001 - 2006

  Key Responsibilities: I purchased Wellington Car Carriers, and rebranded and marketed the company as New Zealand Vehicle Distributors Transport. With its key management restructured, the company gained the majority of the market share in the Lower North Island. New Zealand Vehicle Distributors Transport was sold in August 2006 to its main competitor. Key Achievements: • Increased Turnover 400% over three years. • Client base increased by 200% • Developed an exit strategy and sold to Main competitor



The Car Dealer Magazine

• New Zealand

• Managing Director

  • 2000 - 2005



Supreme Motor Group Limited

• Wellington

• Managing Director

  • 2000 - 2004



Turners Group NZ Limited

• Wellington and Auckland

• General Manager

  • 1996 - 2000



1st Car Auctions

• Wellington

• Managing Director

  • 1995 - 1996



Ross Eggers Motors

• Wellington

• General Manager

  • 1994 - 1995



Turners and Growers

• Wellington

• Flower Auction / Import Manager / Auctioneer

  • 1989 - 1994

  FLOWER AUCTION, IMPORT MANAGER, PREVIOUS: TRAINEE AUCTIONEER / TURNERS AND GROWERS 1989 – 1994 FLOWER AUCTION, IMPORT MANAGER, PREVIOUS: TRAINEE AUCTIONEER / TURNERS AND GROWERS 1989 – 1994