Kupe Advisory Group

Andrew Grant

Andrew is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, leading their Public Sector Practice globally and helps lead the Sustainability, Social Sector, and Consumer Packaged Goods Practices in Asia. Andrew has served many leading corporations in a broad range of industries and his current focus is on helping public-sector clients solve their most pressing strategic challenges, especially those related to economic development, health care, and infrastructure. In one recent project, Andrew helped establish a public-private partnership that stimulated a country’s economic development; as part of this effort, he worked with the client to initiate a series of pilots and to design approaches for launching and monitoring activities. Similarly, Andrew supported a Southeast Asian country in the creation of a new economic model—identifying priority growth sectors, developing initiatives to drive economic reform, and crafting an implementation approach.

Andrew won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, where he received a first class honours master’s degree in politics, philosophy, and economics, following the completion of his Civil Engineering undergraduate degree at the University of Auckland. He is a board member of the New Zealand Institute, the Springboard Trust, and Onehunga Business High School.

 

Professor Brigid Carroll

Brigid is a Professor in the Department of Management and International Business and holds the Fletcher Building Employee Educational Fund Chair in Leadership. She teaches broadly in the area of leadership, organizational theory and qualitative research methods at undergraduate, postgraduate and executive level and does extensive cross sector leadership development work with corporate, community, professional, and youth organisations. In her development work Brigid has specialized in whole system, collaborative and cross organisation leadership development alongside a focus on leadership identity, mindset and practice. Increasingly she works with cross-faculty and interdisciplinary research and development teams. Brigid has recently begun a series of research and development work involving participatory, grassroots and adaptive governance, and complex, multi-sector collaboration. In her spare time Brigid hangs out with her three sons and a menagerie of pets, likes to walk, cook and bake, enjoys film festival movies and loves to read classic and contemporary literature.  

 

David Downs - Executive Chair

David is CEO of the New Zealand Story Group - an organisation who helps New Zealand to tell our story to the world, building the brand of Aotearoa on the global stage. Prior to this David was a General Manager at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. He is a well-known business commentator and award winning radio and TV presenter. His recent ‘Stuff’ series – a Mild Touch of the Cancer – documented his battle against an aggressive form of lymphoma. He is also a published author of books on Innovation in New Zealand - including "No.8 Re-Wired".

David is an experienced senior executive, with proven skills in developing, planning and executing business strategies across both multi-national corporations and small & medium business; in developed as well as emerging markets and in economic development roles.

He is also an accomplished public speaker and communicator with over 20 years’ experience in the ICT industry.

 

Grant Biggar

Grant is an experienced financial technology executive and entrepreneur with nearly three decades of experience in international financial markets. After a career with Deloitte and Bankers Trust in Auckland, London and New York, Grant was one of the earliest employees of Creditex, a derivative brokerage. Based in London, Grant led the European business for Creditex and managed a team that created several innovations which led to Creditex becoming the largest broker for credit derivatives in Europe. Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) purchased Creditex in 2008 and promoted Grant to President of Creditex.Following the acquisition Grant moved to New York and also joined the senior management team of ICE (a publicly traded company). In addition to leading the integration of Creditex into ICE Grant managed all of the fixed income initiatives for ICE. Over the last few years Grant has been an active investor and advisor in start-up and early stage businesses in New Zealand, Australia, UK and the US. Grant is on the University's US Board and a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.

 

Ngati Kawa Taituha (Ngāpuhi)

 

Ngati Kawa Taituha is an interpreter of cultural perspectives and indigenous philosophies. His roles include Waitangi Marae Chairman, Ko Waitangi Te Awa Trust Chairman, Iwi Kiwi Chairman and Māori Rep for Focus Paihia Charitable Trust. He has also spent the last 15 years creating a cultural asset at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds where they have gained national recognition from the Tourism Industry for setting the gold standard.

He was born and raised in Waitangi which is regarded as the cultural hub for his tribe Ngapuhi and the political epicenter for the entire Māori Nation. His ancestors signed the Declaration of Independence 1835 and Te Tiriti O Waitangi 1840. He aspires to enlighten those beginning their journey of learning about our language, history, ancient customs, rituals, and holistic spirituality. This knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation and he is passionate about sharing these deep facets of our culture in a very relevant and meaningful way.