Founder of corporate and commercial law firm Lowndes Associates, Mark Lowndes speaks with Niko Kloeten from The National Business Review about his appointment as chairman of Multilaw, one of the world’s largest legal networks. 

Mutlilaw has 6500 member laywers spread across 60 countries, with 71 member firms; Lowndes Associates has been a member for 10 years and is the only member firm in New Zealand.

Click here to read the full article and find out more about Multilaw.

The National Business Review’s Niko Kloeten delves into the importance of Wills and setting up an Enduring Power of Attorney and the challenges faced without one, in ‘More Red Tape Putting Businesses At Risk’. 

This subscriber content only story includes an interview with Guardian Trust general counsel Chris Kelly who says the new regulations have put people off and created an unnecessary layer for the EPA process.

Since the law change the number of people getting EPA’s has dropped 90% at Guardian Trust and has left many businesses at risk if no one has been appointed to act behalf of someone. 

Kelly says “Enduring Power of Attorney is an important tool in business continuity – anyone could have a heart attack at any point in their lives.”

This article is restricted to NBR subscribers only.

Challenge Trust Chief Executive Clive Plucknett

Challenge Trust chief executive Clive Plucknett tackles the silent epidemic that is depression head-on today in the National Business Review, 05 March.

In his interview with Niko Kloeten, Plucknett says depression is the next global crisis, it happens to more people than we realise, the problem is, NZ executives are too afraid to open up and confide in one another.

Depression the silent epidemic for executives uncovers another side of the corporate world and identifies several issues;

• Boards are not dealing with the issue effectively;
• Outlines NZ within the global context;
• Depression does not necessarily happen gradually, and it may strike anyone, at any time;
• Challenge Trust offers help at hand with the Wellness & Recovery model based on International Benchmarking, a model that may be applied to a whole organisation or individual;
• Challenge Trust runs sessions on emotional resilience;
• Sufferers should not go-it-alone, support in recovery is key;

Clive also appeared on TVNZ’s NZI Business, 16 March, to discuss the ‘corporate’ attitude of depression among New Zealand offices.  In this segment he reiterated the culture of ‘macho’ bullet proof executives and stressed the importance of support structures for leading business likening the countries’ support of the All Blacks. 

Plucknett understands pressure and hard-work as the head of Challenge Trust, an organisation dedicated to recovery services for people from all walks of life.

Niko Kloeten interviewed Sara Dennis recently on the subject of Asset Management , Infrastructure planning & development. New Zealand is facing a serious skills shortage in this area  which has long-term implications for our economic development.

In an article published to  subscribers of www.nbr.co.nz Sara discusses the plans with Niko around the course and how the partnership with the Chifley Business School is bringing the Vocational Graduate Certificate in Physical Asset Management to New Zealand this year. 

Sara also appeared on TVNZ’s NZI Business with Corin Dann on 16 February to discuss the launch of the new business course aimed at refining the management and vision of infrastructure projects.   Since the success of the course in Australia, GHD has recently launched the course in Canada, and will soon introduce it to New Zealand in September.

Sara also appears in the March issue of NZ Marketing magazine discussing the topic of asset management.  Click here for the NZ Management article or read the NBR article here behind a log on.

About Sara Dennis

Sara Dennis joined GHD as National Infrastructure Strategy Group Manager six years ago, and now heads a team of 16, providing asset management and management consulting services to clients.

This comprises strategic advice, development of ‘best practice’ policies, strategies, procedures, skills transfer/training/mentoring, asset management planning, asset valuations and financial and improvement planning.Sara is one of the few people in New Zealand who can bridge the gap between asset management, financial planning and strategic planning. She developed much of her experience, before joining GHD, at a local government level, including an eight-year role as Group Manager Business Services at the Far North District Council. Her recent projects with GHD have included asset management and programming for the Rodney District Council, a quality management system for the Dunedin City Council, a gap analysis and improvement plan for the Tauranga City Council, and an asset management plan update for the Whakatane District Council.

Sara has a Bachelor of Business Studies, a Certificate in Business Computing, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and is a Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) Assessor.

About GHD

GHD is one of the world’s leading engineering, architecture and environmental consulting firms. Established in 1928, GHD employs more than 6,000 people across five continents and serves clients in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation.
 
Wholly owned by its people, GHD is focused on client success. Our global network of engineers, architects, planners, scientists, project managers and economists collaborate to deliver sustainable outcomes for our clients and the community. Our core values of Teamwork, Respect and Integrity help create enduring relationships that deliver exceptional results.
 
GHD is recognised for its commitment to innovation, safety and sustainable development. We care for the wellbeing of our people, communities and the environments in which we operate.
 
A member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, GHD operates under a Practice Quality Management System, ISO 9001:2008 and an Environmental Management System, ISO 14001:2008 which are certified by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance.

Dr Frances Pitsilis is no stranger to stress and the challenge of work-life balance.  A highly qualified and practicing professional in this area, Pitsilis is not only an expert but a voice of experience, having twice recovered from burnout caused by stress.

In the 22 January National Business Review, Dr Pitsilis reviews the average workaholic’s lunch habits, and notes that the majority of people aren’t doing themselves any favours by eating lunch at the desk.

She says New Zealanders are almost as bad as the Japanese for staying glued to our desks; we rate second in the Western world for the longest hours worked (International Labour Organization, 2004), and it doesn’t stop there – our bad habits can compound the negative effects of overwork.

However, Dr Pitsilis encourages Kiwi workers to start the New Year with a few good habits and easy tips for staying stress-free in the workplace.

In a recent btobonline.co.nz article, Dr Pitsilis discusses the importance of understanding where stress comes from and how it can be managed, and identifies the need to manage stress in the workplace, from the recruitment stage forward.

“Whether you are the employer or the worker, keeping stress at work down really pays dividends for all concerned.  The first place to start in avoiding stress at work, for both employer and employee, is at recruitment.” Dr Frances Pitsilis, btob.co.nz

Dr Pitsilis’ keen interest in communications and professional speaking has secured her roles as the Easy Mix Radio Doctor, New Zealand Herald medical blog writer, TVNZ Breakfast health expert and opinion commentator.

She operates her own general practice on Auckland’s North Shore, and holds qualifications in nutritional medicine, obstetrics, and preventative and regenerative medicine. She also practices cosmetic and appearance medicine.

Niko Kloeten from the National Business Review investigates the unfolding situation of  a dispute that relates to an electronic referrals (eReferrals) system launched two years ago that enables GPs and specialists to send patient referrals to their local District Health Boards (DHBs).

Tom Bowden was also interviewed on TVNZ’s NZI Business Breakfast about his views on why New Zealanders should not accept these anti competitive practices and why Healthlink is currently at loggerheads with Medtech

More detailed background information is found in this media release