BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Philip Shewell MBA FNZIM MIOD (Chairman)

Philip is a professional company director following 30 years of retail management experience in NZ, Australia and the UK. His last executive position was that of Managing Director of Kirkcaldie & Stains Ltd in Wellington.

Currently, he is a trustee of the Wellington Museums Trust, an independent director of AMI Insurance Ltd and of Kircaldie & Stains Ltd.

John Albertson

John is currently Chief Executive of the New Zealand Retailers Association.

John has been CEO of the NZRA for 15 years, coming from the role of Marketing Director of New Zealand’s largest specialty footwear chain, R. Hannah and Co. Prior to this John held a number of marketing and market research positions with leading New Zealand companies.

John is also on the boards of Standards New Zealand (deputy chairman) and GS1 (New Zealand).

Trevor Douthett

Trevor has been with L V Martin and Son for over 30 years and is the Chief Executive.

He is a Finance graduate from Victoria University (BCA) and has become a career retailer with a strong interest in training and the work of Retail Institute. A number of LV Martin’s staff members have taken the opportunity to “get qualified”. Trevor continues the strong tradition of Customer Service and offering personal involvement to “Put it Right”. He brings us much needed representation from the electrical appliance sector.

Trish McLean

Trish McLean is a founding director of Retailworld Resourcing, a recruitment company. Trish has won numerous awards, including the 2007 Business Woman of the Year from Her Business, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the service category and the 2008 SEEK New Zealand Legend Status Award.

She is heavily engaged in the industry and is involved in judging events, mentoring candidates and clients and providing advice on retail and recruitment trends.

Trish is a strong advocate for retail as a career of choice and has developed the Retail Positioning Programme to promote the industry to the community.

In 2009 Trish founded the networking group, Executive Women in Retail..

Mary Marshall

Mary is currently the Employment Relations Manager for The Warehouse Ltd. She has over 20 years experience in the retail industry and this year she celebrated her fifth anniversary with The Warehouse. As a dedicated supporter of training, Mary has been involved with Retail Institute since its inception.

Mary is also the International President of POWERtalk International, a worldwide training organisation. She is also a member of Executive Women in Retail.

In 2001 Mary was a joint winner of the EEO Trust Work, Life and Family “Walk the Talk” award. She was also formally a Ministerial Appointee to the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women.

Aston Moss BA MPhil(Hons) DipBusAdmin

Aston is the Business Manager – Woolworths Quickstop and Micro for Progressive Enterprises Limited.

Aston brings over 20 years experience from within the retail sector including roles in retail operations, support functions such as category management and business development as well as comprehensive experience gained from a broad range of HR roles.

Aston brings both depth and breadth of knowledge and skills critical to successful retailing gained locally as well as internationally.

John Suckling

John is the Owner/Operator of Sucklings Shoe Store, Christchurch. He is a second generation retailer, taking over the family business in 1977 after a career as an economist with the Department of Trade and Industry, NZIER and the Social Welfare Department in Wellington. As a well respected ‘thinker’, he has a high profile in the industry in Christchurch and has served on the board of the New Zealand Retailers Association and the board (and now Advisory Committee) of the NZRetail magazine. He gives Retail Institute South Island representation as well as a SME focus.

Maxine Gay

Maxine is Retail Sector secretary of the National Distribution Union. She has gained extensive experience in the trade union movement since joining the staff of the Clerical Workers Union in 1983. Prior to her current position, Maxine was secretary of the Clothing, Laundry and Allied Workers Union and was General Secretary and then President of the New Zealand Trade Union Federation.

Over the years Maxine has undertaken other Governance and Advisory roles including membership of the Manawatu Regional Employment and Access Committee, the Mid-Central Regional Health Authority Establishment Board and the Advisory Board for the Mental Health Commission. She has been appointed employee representative on the Retail Institute Board.