Leone has worked in the public and private sectors in roles spanning more than 30 years, with the last 10 years managing her own business, volunteering as a Business Mentor with Business Mentors New Zealand and holding trustee positions with two local charities in North Canterbury.
Leone’s corporate experience includes the dairy, meat, apparel and arable industries; some of which have included international market development activities and managing overseas manufacturing contracts. She held several different roles within New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, one of which was managing a team of people to support companies to develop and execute appropriate international market development strategies within a variety of different countries and customs. Her time at NZTE also included a secondment as Trade Commissioner to New Zealand’s UK office located in London.
While Leone now calls herself retired, she remains very active in the community – her coaching business together with being the Chair of a local charity for the last 10 years, and volunteering as a Business Mentor ensures she is well across current trends and issues facing businesses today.
Leone has been a judge for the North Canterbury Business Awards in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2023.
Brian brings to the panel many years of experience in both national and international sales and management within a wide range of industries.
Brian has conducted business in some 60 countries, spending five years based in both China and the UK, developing excellent communication skills and multi-cultural understanding along the way.
Having managed businesses in start-up, growth, maturity and decline phases has provided him with invaluable insight into the operational requirements of businesses of all sizes.
Living in Ohoka, Brian works as a Real Estate Agent in the commercial and industrial sector focusing on North Canterbury. Brian is also a Trustee of the Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust helping our people and businesses meet their full potential.
Brian was a judge for the North Canterbury Business Awards in 2021 and 2023.
Deirdre brings to the judging panel a career spanning 30 years working in senior leadership, coaching, and community development within central government, local government and social services in the NGO sector.
For the past 13 years, Deirdre has been Manager of Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust. Community Wellbeing offers a range of free social and community services to support the wellbeing of families and individuals in North Canterbury. The Trust employs 35 staff and over 60 volunteers and is the largest social services agency in North Canterbury.
Deirdre is also the Principal of Salta Horses, offering equine-assisted learning and development programmes for both New Zealand and international clients.
Deirdre is one of New Zealand’s leading trainers in Results Based Accountability™ which is a framework for measuring the performance and efficacy of programmes, agencies and services.
With her first-hand experience of leadership through the response and recovery phases of the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquakes, along with the Covid 19 response, Deirdre is a specialist in leading teams through uncertainty.
Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust were the winners of the BDO Professional Services Award in 2016 and the PAK’nSAVE Community Enterprise Award in 2018. Deirdre was a judge for the North Canterbury Business Awards in 2023.
Julia Hunt is a tourism professional and founder of Tourism Studio Ltd. With a passion for helping tourism businesses succeed, she has built a reputation for delivering practical and effective solutions to her clients.
Her extensive knowledge of the tourism industry and its challenges, combined with her excellent interpersonal skills, allows her to build strong relationships with her clients and understand their unique needs.
With over a decade of experience, Julia has developed a wide range of expertise, including destination marketing, product development, and sustainability. She has a proven track record of helping tourism businesses increase their visibility and grow their revenue, making her an ideal judge of the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa Tourism Award at this year’s North Canterbury Business Awards.
Julia was a judge for the North Canterbury Business Awards in 2023.
Andrew Arps is a well-respected environmental professional and a well known figure at Environment Canterbury (ECAN). With over 15 years of experience in the field, he has developed a deep understanding of the challenges facing the environment and the measures needed to address them.
His passion for the environment is evident in the work he does, and he is widely recognized as a thought leader in the field. He has a strong reputation for his ability to communicate complex environmental issues in a clear and concise manner, making his expertise accessible to a wide audience. This, combined with his exceptional interpersonal skills, makes him an effective advocate for environmental protection.
Andrew is a strong believer in the power of collaboration and partnerships, and he has worked closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, businesses, and community organisations, to advance sustainability initiatives.
Andrew lives in Waimakariri and, together with his wife, also owns and operates Harpers Homestead Wedding Venue. Andrew was a judge for the North Canterbury Business Awards in 2023.
Matt James is the Head Business Coach at North Canterbury Business Services Ltd, where he works closely with emerging businesses to help them establish strong foundations for growth.
With extensive experience across both corporate and small business environments, Matt has guided countless entrepreneurs through the complexities of starting and scaling a business. His expertise spans business strategy, operations, and financial planning, making him a trusted advisor for those looking to turn their ideas into successful enterprises.
Matt is known for his practical, hands-on coaching approach, offering tailored support to startups and new business owners. He acts as both a mentor and a sounding board, helping businesses navigate challenges, refine their strategies, and achieve sustainable success. His ability to provide clear, actionable advice has earned him a strong reputation among North Canterbury’s entrepreneurial community.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Matt is actively involved in local community initiatives and organizations, reflecting his commitment to the broader North Canterbury region. As a judge for the Emerging Business category at the North Canterbury Business Awards, Matt brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for fostering business excellence.
Keith is the retired Franchise and Development Manager for KiwiHost Ltd. He has a career spanning more than 30 years at senior management in the professional sales and marketing arena – with major multinationals such as Coca Cola, Smith Klein Beecham and Goodman Fielder.
Complementing his track record is the distinction of having run one of the most successful KiwiHost franchises ever in Auckland between 2000 and 2004. With qualifications and experience in sales, marketing, general management, presentation skills and financial management and training, his real passion is for customer service, relationship marketing and teambuilding.
Keith was a judge for the North Canterbury Business Awards in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018.
Tracy Eddy serves as the General Manager at GSI South, a Christchurch-based insurance brokerage specializing in commercial and rural insurance solutions.
In this role, Tracy oversees the delivery of tailored insurance services designed to meet the unique needs of businesses, particularly within the primary production sector.
Under Tracy’s leadership, GSI South has developed innovative insurance products like AgriCover+, aimed at protecting agricultural enterprises from a range of risks. The firm’s commitment to understanding and mitigating the challenges faced by primary producers is exemplified in their collaboration with clients such as Forest Lodge Orchard. This partnership led to the creation of a unique business interruption cover, ensuring financial protection against power outages critical to orchard operations.
Tracy’s extensive experience in the insurance industry, combined with a deep understanding of the primary production sector, positions her as a valuable judge for the Primary and Value Add category at the North Canterbury Business Awards. Her insights into risk management and dedication to supporting the agricultural community underscore her commitment to fostering excellence and innovation within the industry.
Daniel Fitzpatrick is a seasoned business coach and the founder of Next Level Tradie, a consultancy dedicated to empowering trades and construction businesses to enhance profitability and operational efficiency.
With over 27 years of entrepreneurial experience, Daniel has successfully managed both manufacturing and service-based enterprises, equipping him with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the trades sector.
In his role as a business mentor, Daniel has a proven track record of delivering tangible results. Beyond his professional endeavors, Daniel is committed to sharing his expertise with the broader community. He has contributed insights on recession-proofing businesses to industry publications such as NZ Plumber magazine, providing practical strategies for navigating economic downturns.
As a resident of North Canterbury, Daniel is deeply invested in the local business landscape. His participation as a judge in the North Canterbury Business Awards reflects his dedication to fostering business excellence and supporting the growth of enterprises within the region.
James Flanagan is a highly regarded figure in the retail industry, known for his exceptional leadership and customer-focused approach. As the owner of PAK'nSAVE Rangiora, he has been at the forefront of delivering top-notch customer service to the local community for many years. James has a strong commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of what customers want.
With his passion for customer service and his wealth of experience in the retail industry, James is an ideal candidate to judge the Professional Services award. His keen eye for detail, his commitment to excellence, and his unwavering dedication to putting customers first make him a perfect choice to assess the quality of the service provided by others.
As well as providing James as a judge for the SRB Law Professional Services Award, PAK’nSAVE Rangiora is sponsoring the PAK’nSAVE Rangiora Community Enterprise Award.
James was a judge for the North Canterbury Business Awards in 2023.
