Meet the powerHouse Team
Board | Management Team
Dr Chris Kirk, Board
Chris is Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln University. He graduated from the University of Canterbury in chemistry and has spent most of his career working in tertiary institutions in New Zealand and overseas - initially as an academic and more recently in managerial roles. Chris has a particular interest in research management, commercialisation of intellectual property, innovation systems, and has led the development of three technology innovation centres.
Dr Grant Ryan, Board
Grant has founded a number of companies including GlobalBrain.net (sold to NBCi), RealContacts, SLI Systems (a profitable fast growing SaaS search company), Eurekster (North America Red Herring 100 in 2006) and more recently, YikeBike. On the board of Canterbury Development Corporation, Grant has also served on the boards of the New Zealand Government’s Venture Investment Fund and the Foundation for Research Science and Technology. Grant has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Ecological Economics from the University of Canterbury.
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John Barr, Board
John is the managing director of Ayrshire e.b.a. Ltd which specialises in providing governance and business holistic and operational advice at Managing Director/Owner level primarily for SMEs together with directorship roles. John has chief executive and directorship level experience across a broad range of industry environments, covering manufacturing, contract manufacturing, technology and electricity trusts together with involvement in the NZ Trade & Enterprise Beachhead programme and the GlobalScots network.
John Walley, Board
John has a wide experience in globally competitive research, development, manufacturing and distribution companies, in the marine, electronics and software sectors. He is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institute of Professional Engineers NZ, Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers UK, Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and Fellow of the Institute of Quality Assurance UK. John also has a number of investments in start-up technology companies.
Steve Wilson, Board
Steve has 32 years experience as a CEO of both public and private companies. He is currently the Managing Director of Talbot Plastics, a company established in 1972 to provide a custom injection moulding and mould making service to the manufacturing industry. He is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management. Steve is a director of a number of technology companies and a former director of Adrenalin Ventures, a Canterbury based private equity fund.
Phil Holliday (Chair), Board
Phil is MD of Holliday Corporation, a business growth and angel investment company. Phil is an industry figurehead who achieved success through the multi-million dollar sale of his electronics and wireless company Holliday Group Ltd to iTouch PLC in the UK.