MEET OUR STAGE TWO JUDGES
The Taupō Business Awards are built on a foundation of excellence, and our judging panel plays a crucial role in recognising and celebrating the region’s best businesses. As we progress to Stage Two of the judging process, we are proud to introduce a distinguished panel of experts, each bringing a wealth of experience across diverse industries. From strategic planning and innovation to marketing, sustainability, and leadership, these judges are tasked with evaluating finalists and selecting the businesses that truly embody excellence. Get to know the leaders who will be shaping this year’s awards and helping to spotlight the outstanding talent within our business community.
Excellence in Strategy & Planning, Excellence in Innovation and Employer of the Year
Richard Briggs, Launch Global Consulting
As a high-impact transformational Chief Executive, Richard is driven to deliver ambitious outcomes for diverse stakeholder communities. He possesses a rare talent for building high-performing individuals, teams, and organisations, regardless of size or location. His ability to connect internal and external stakeholders to an organisation’s strategic vision has resulted in outstanding results, unlocking untapped potential, and driving success. He is committed to building enduring cultures that value individual contributions and reject the limitations of hierarchy and silos. His passion for developing executable, empowering strategies creates a clear purpose and empowers all stakeholders to achieve their strategic objectives. He has twenty years of executive leadership experience across complex, diverse organisations – commercial, government, and multi-national. He has experience in 20+ international jurisdictions and large organisations (27+ varied operations, over NZD$5b asset base, and 1,200+ employees). He is a strategic influencer on a national stage with a proven ability to build and sustain high-performing organisations that deliver on vision, mission, and purpose.
Excellence in Marketing, Excellence in Community Contribution and Best Emerging Business
Josie Spillane, Highlands, Hampton Downs and Taupō Motorsport Parks
Josie is a highly experienced & successful leader with experience in not for profit, business development, operations, event management, senior leadership, health and safety, marketing, PR, tourism, motorsport, fundraising, sales and hospitality. She is CEO and leads the teams at Highlands, Hampton Downs, Taupo International Motorsport Park, Game Over QT, Game Over Auckland & Game Over Christchurch. In 2022, Josie was announced as Leader of the Year and won the Excellence in Leadership at the Otago Business Awards. Highlands were also finalists for Excellence in Tourism & Hospitality and Innovation award.
Excellence in Sustainability
Harvey Brookes, Waikato Wellbeing Project
Harvey Brookes is Executive Director at the Waikato Wellbeing Project, and has over 30 years’ experience in public policy, environmental management, infrastructure, economic development and community wellbeing. He has worked at local, regional and central government levels, in private consultancy and in academia. Harvey has led and advised regional economic development programmes across New Zealand, including Auckland, where he led the development of the region’s first economic development strategy and the Waikato, where he designed and implemented the region’s first regional economic development agency. He has taught at the Schools of Geography, Architecture and Planning, University of Auckland. Harvey earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Auckland. He is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. Harvey is a co-founder of the Aotearoa SDG Alliance.
