Board of Directors
Sarah Astor, Chairman
Sarah Astor
As Chairman for MetService, Sarah Astor brings to the MetService Board her extensive business and governance experience in both the private and public sectors. She has held key financial and business development roles in a variety of businesses in New York and New Zealand.
Ms Astor was made a Fellow of the Institute of Directors in 2005 and currently holds positions as Director Christchurch City Holdings Ltd, Director Novo Strategic and Management Limited, Director Selwyn Plantation Board Ltd, and is a Trustee for several charitable organisations. Former governance roles Ms Astor has held include Deputy Chair Asure New Zealand Ltd, Director Priority Finance Ltd, Director Pyne Gould Corporation, Director MARAC Finance Ltd, Director Perpetual Trust, and Director Airways Corporation of New Zealand.
Greg Cross, Deputy Chair
Greg Cross
Greg Cross is an experienced entrepreneur, CEO and Company Director. He has extensive experience in growing international companies, export growth, capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance across a wide range of companies operating in New Zealand, USA and Asia.
Mr Cross is co-founder and Executive Chairman for wireless power company Powerbyproxi, shareholder and Chairman of search solutions company SLI Systems Inc., and co-founder of NZ’s first professional cycling team, PureBlack Racing. He has also been involved in key advisory projects including the Beachhead Program, a world-leading economic development platform developed in partnership with NZTE, and he is Chairman of The IceHouse, an incubator attached to the University of Auckland’s Business School. Mr Cross is also a Venture Partner with Movac Venture Fund, the original investors in Trade Me.
Carolyn Harkess
Carolyn Harkess
Carolyn Harkess has held senior leadership positions in sales and marketing, manufacturing and retail industries, both in New Zealand and internationally. As a result, Ms Harkess brings to the MetService Board experience in understanding and managing international markets, assisting organisations in their strategic development, and driving improvement in bottom line results. Ms Harkess is a member of the Institute of Directors.
David Houldsworth
David Houldsworth
David Houldsworth has an extensive background in banking, finance and corporate governance. Mr Houldsworth initially studied and qualified as an accountant but soon moved into banking where he held senior corporate and investment banking roles with Chase Manhatten, Citibank and Westpac. For almost ten years until mid-2007 Mr Houldsworth was Managing Director of the NZX-listed investment company Hellaby Holdings Ltd, where he gained management and governance experience in a wide range of industries.
Mr Houldsworth has been a member of the Institute of Directors since 2000, having been made a Fellow of the Institute since 2008, and is a director of New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd, Asset Finance Ltd, as well as MetService. Mr Houldsworth is also the Chief Executive of Stardome, the not-for-profit Auckland Observatory and Planetarium.
Judy Kirk
Judy Kirk
Judy Kirk is an experienced director with a wide knowledge of business. Appointed to MetService’s Board in July 2011, Judy also runs her own consulting business providing strategic advice to organisations.
Judy was appointed Chair of the New Zealand Lotteries Board in May 2009, having previously chaired the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board National Welfare Committee and the Rotorua Regional Lottery Distribution Committee for five years. She also served as President of the New Zealand National Party from 2002-2009. Judy's earlier career includes general and maternity nursing, and working as an electorate agent for National Party MPs.
Judy is a Justice of the Peace and was appointed to be an Officer of The New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2011 for services to the community.
James Koh
James Koh
James Koh has held senior management positions in software and electronics manufacturing industries, both in New Zealand and overseas. Mr Koh has extensive experience in assisting companies to expand and invest internationally, having led several organisations down such paths. From 1997 to 2004, Mr Koh was also a director of The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), a Crown Research Institute.
Te Taru White
Te Taru White
Te Taru White has over 30 years’ senior executive experience across both public and private sector in the mining, health and indigenous social, cultural and economic development fields. A past board member of the Land Transport and Safety Authority and Lakeland District Health Board, he brings to the MetService Board a science background combined with extensive cultural development and governance experience.
Starting out his career in geology and engineering, Mr White then moved into resource and economic development management with the Ministry of Maori Development. In more recent years he has held the position of Kaihautu (Co-leader) of the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa, and subsequently CEO for the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Te Puia. He has also held numerous positions as Chair and Trustee on Maori Trusts and Incorporations in the forestry and farming sectors, and currently runs his own consulting business specialising in international indigenous development opportunities.
