• Chair – Greg Cross
• Chief Executive Officer – Andrew Hamilton
• EA to CEO – Samantha Copland
• Chief Financial Officer – Roger Hatrick-Smith
• Chief Marketing Officer – Rachel Hopkins
• Administration and Finance Manager – Tiffany Leeder
• Financial Controller – Jacquie Benucci
• Sales/Administration Co-ordinator – Mariko King
• Marketing Executive – Emily Taylor
• Director – Ken Erskine
• Relationship Manager – Amanda Monks
• Project Manager – Robbie Paul
• Director – Ken Erskine
• Relationship Manager – Amanda Monks
• Director – Liz Wotherspoon
• Relationship Manager – Raewyn Goodwin
• Channel Manager – Maria Taylor
• Sales Executive – Mike Stokes
• Director – Liz Wotherspoon
• Relationship Manager – Raewyn Goodwin
Jacquie Benucci - ICEHOUSE Financial Controller
Jacquie Benucci has joined the ICEHOUSE as the Financial Controller.
Jacquie has had an extensive career in the accounting industry spanning her whole working life. Most of this time has been spent working for reputable and well known Chartered Accountancy firms, such as, Deloitte, Ernst & Young and PWC, as well as some time in various commercial firms. During this time she has worked across a variety of client bases from Doctors to Farmers, Schools to Transport companies,and various commercial concerns. She brings with her a wealth of experience that greatly benefits The ICEHOUSE.
Jacquie is responsible for the day-to-day running Accounts and works closely with the ICEHOUSE Management team to interpret its performance.
E: j.benucci@theicehouse.co.nz
Samantha Copland - EA to CEO
Samantha joined The ICEHOUSE as Andrew Hamilton’s Executive Assistant in January 2010. She has worked in the Financial Services and Event Management industries in NZ and the UK, in both Marketing and Administration roles. She has strong organisational and relationship management skills. She holds a BSc majoring in Psychology and Pharmacology. Samantha is passionate about being part of turning entrepreneurial companies into international successes.
E: s.copland@theicehouse.co.nz
Greg Cross - ICEHOUSE Chairman
Greg is an experienced executive and company director who works with companies focused on maximizing their international potential. Greg was introduced to international business very early in his career as a member of the executive teams at Trigon Packaging and Fact International – one of New Zealand’s first software exporters.
In New Zealand Greg built a track record as an entrepreneurial CEO responsible for driving significant growth in revenues and market share for Microsoft and Advantage Group. Greg has also spent a significant amount of time based in North America, Europe and Asia managing market entry, raising capital and completing M&A transactions.
Greg is a Director of Cross Ventures an Investment/Advisory Services group that has built up a portfolio of interests in export focused high growth companies including PowerbyProxi, Netople, Nature Baby and SLI Systems.
Greg is a Director of The ICEHOUSE and Chairman of NZTE’s NZ Beachhead Advisory board where he has championed the strategic development of a world leading economic development initiative for the last 3 years.
E: g.cross@theicehouse.co.nz
Ken Erskine - ICE Accelerator & ICE Angels Director
Ken Erskine, has extensive sales and marketing experience working with a spectrum of organisations ranging from local start up’s to global multinationals. With over fifteen years IT sales and marketing experience in NZ and Europe Ken has held senior management/leadership roles at Hewlett Packard and Compaq where he was also involved in the initial sponsorship of The ICEHOUSE.
More recently Ken has been working with local technology companies including IPFX (NZ based Unified Communications software developer) where he was responsible for worldwide marketing, channels and vendor partnerships for the past three years. He is also an active member of the Ice Angels network investing in Nexus 6, Biomatters and Optima Corporation.
E: k.erskine@theicehouse.co.nz
Raewyn Goodwin – ICE Bridge & ICE Network Relationship Manager
Raewyn Goodwin is ICE Bridge Relationship Manager for The ICEHOUSE and manages all aspects of the administrative process involved in the service delivery of these programmes. Raewyn maintains the relationships with participants prior to and during the programme as well as post programme with the organisation of alumni events. She also acts as Location Manager for all courses in NZ and Australia.
She comes from a training & development background having worked for Franklin Covey (Seven Habits of Highly Effective People & First Things First) as well as a number of years with NZIM (The NZ Institute of Management). She holds a PGDipBus in Marketing.
E: r.goodwin@theicehouse.co.nz
Andrew Hamilton - ICEHOUSE CEO
Andrew Hamilton was the founding CEO of The ICEHOUSE in 2001.
The ICEHOUSE is a business growth centre that creates learning environments for entrepreneurial firms to enable them to significantly grow their companies. It is a charitable trust founded by the University of Auckland Business School and some well known New Zealand and International Companies – BNZ, Boston Consulting Group, Ernst Young, HP, Microsoft, & Telecom. Since 2001, we have worked with 65 start-ups and just under 1,500 entrepreneurial firms. We have raised close to $30m for these start-ups and our owner managers are growing their EBIT on average 31% per annum.
Andrew was the founding Chair of Incubators NZ, is a Board member of ICE Angels and also a Board member of ANZATEC – the Australian New Zealand Technology Forum based in Silicon Valley, a group who is tasked with creating a better gateway for NZ and Australian technology companies to enter the US.
Prior to joining the ICEHOUSE, Andrew was CEO and Director of Inventure, Fletcher Building’s venture capital arm which he established in 1998.
E: a.hamilton@theicehouse.co.nz
Roger Hatrick-Smith - ICEHOUSE CFO
Roger has a deep understanding of the issues and challenges facing businesses wanting to grow both in New Zealand and offshore. He has advised many businesses through various stages of growth offering insights and knowledge acquired through many years of working closely with entrepreneurs and their businesses.
Roger's career has included senior line accounting positions in distribution, hotels and process manufacturing industries followed by a number of years in consulting roles. Roger assisted small to very large organisation undertake strategic reassessments of their business objectives in light of changing market circumstance - often supported with the implementation of organisational and information systems change projects in support of those objectives. His consulting experience spanned all major business process activity areas including operations and supply chain, management and support processes.
More recently Roger has provided strategic, business and financial advice to high growth New Zealand businesses as leader of Ernst & Young's Entrepreneurial and Growth Markets Group and its Transaction Advisory service line in New Zealand.
Roger continues to offer ideas, insights and practical advice to high potential New Zealand businesses.
Rachel Hopkins - ICEHOUSE CMO
Rachel Hopkins has joined the team at the ICEHOUSE as Chief Marketing Officer. Rachel has worked internationally in professional services marketing, including her own business in Sydney and senior marketing positions at Clifford Chance London and Minter Ellison Rudd Watts in New Zealand.
Rachel is responsible for strategic marketing leadership, planning and execution at The ICEHOUSE, focussed on building revenue streams; brand positioning and value; and maintaining strong connections with all our stakeholders and audiences.
E: r.hopkins@theicehouse.co.nz
Mariko King - ICEHOUSE Sales & Administration Coordinator
Mariko joined The ICEHOUSE in June 2007. Having completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Tourism Management, she has worked for various travel companies in the UK specialising in the administration and operations side of the industry; ensuring the smooth running of office processes and clients holiday experiences.
In her role as Sales & Administration Coordinator she provides support to both the ICE Bridge and ICE Accelerator teams.
E: m.king@theicehouse.co.nz
Tiffany Leeder - ICEHOUSE Administration & Finance Manager
Tiffany joined the ICEHOUSE team in 2005 as Executive Assistant to the CEO. She has since become our Administration and Finance Manager, leading the majority of the FRAME activities of the business including Finance, Resources, Administration and Events. As part of the ICEHOUSE Management Team, she is responsible for business planning and works closely with the CFO and CIO to plan and execute strategic initiatives to benefit residents.
Tiffany is half way through her MBA at our founding partner the University of Auckland Business School. Before joining the ICEHOUSE, Tiffany managed a boutique gym and tutored at Otago University where she gained a Bachelor of Physical Education degree. Her focus on health and wellbeing is an important contribution to the ICEHOUSE family.
E: t.leeder@theicehouse.co.nz
Amanda Monks - ICE Accelerator & ICE Angels Relationship Manager
Amanda joined the ICEHOUSE in 2005 after many years in retail management and human resources. We benefit from her highly developed customer service skills and her innate ability to negotiate differing perspectives in her role as Relationship Manager for both ICE Angels and ICE Accelerator . In this pivotal role Amanda works very closely with, and facilitates the connection between, our aspiring entrepreneurs and knowledgeable Angels Investors , to enhance the value proposition for both parties.
Amanda’s attention to detail enables her to efficiently manage the day-to-day running of our ICE Angels investment club, deliver successful investment evenings and facilitate the relationship between our ICE Accelerator residents and EiRs.
E: a.monks@theicehouse.co.nz
Robbie Paul - Project Manager
Robbie joined The ICEHOUSE in late 2008. He has had considerable involvement in the launch of the UABS Entrepreneurs’ Challenge, the design of the Market Validation Programme, and the application for the ICEHOUSE’s largest grant to date. Most recently, he designed and implemented the role as Project Manager for ICE Accelerator Start-Ups. As the Project Manager, Robbie ensures Start-Ups fully leverage the ICEHOUSE’s support, resources, and networks.
Robbie graduated from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in 2008 with a degree in Business Development and Entrepreneurship. At UNC-W, Robbie held internships with two private equity investment groups and won the UNC-W Business Plan Competition.
E: r.paul@theicehouse.co.nz
Mike Stokes - ICE Bridge Sales Executive
Mike joined The ICEHOUSE in August 2007 and is the Sales Executive.
After gaining a degree from Lincoln University in Resource Studies, Mike worked in London for Bank of America and Deutsche Bank in Emerging Markets and European Equities. He returned from overseas in 2000 and was the Owner-Manager of Artmount NZ Ltd for the next 7 years. Artmount is New Zealand’s leading Mounting and Laminating Company with work being displayed throughout New Zealand and around the world. Throughout this period Mike was Managing Director and obtained first-hand knowledge of the daily hurdles a Small-to-Medium business owner faces.
E: m.stokes@theicehouse.co.nz
Emily Taylor - Marketing Executive
Emily joined The ICEHOUSE as marketing executive in mid December 2009. Before being employed, Emily completed a co-operative education with The ICEHOUSE for three months as part of her completion of a Bachelor of Business Degree at Auckland University of Technology. She majored in marketing and management.
Emily is responsible for marketing support and website administration for the ICE Accelerator, ICE Bridge and ICE Angels teams and works closely with the Chief Marketing Officer on innovation projects and building The ICEHOUSE brand.
If you have any inquires regarding marketing at The ICEHOUSE, please contact Emily.
E: e.taylor@theicehouse.co.nz
Maria Taylor – ICE Bridge Channel Manager
Maria joined The ICEHOUSE in January, 2006. As ICE Bridge Channel Manager, Maria is responsible for the account management of relationships with channels including existing and new channels together with partners, sponsors and other key stakeholders.
Prior to joining The ICEHOUSE Maria worked for BNZ for 5 years with primary responsibility for the Agribusiness Farm First Growth Programmes. These programmes were designed specifically for farmers and focused on areas such as Strategic Planning, Succession Planning, Wealth Management and People & Leadership.
As BNZ is a key partner of The ICEHOUSE, Maria has been involved with the organisation since its inception. Moving to The ICEHOUSE as Channel Manager was a natural succession for her. Previously, Maria has held a range of roles in organisations including Deloitte and Thomas Cook.
E: m.taylor@theicehouse.co.nz
Liz Wotherspoon - ICE Bridge & ICE Network Director
As ICE Bridge and ICE Network Director for The ICEHOUSE Liz is responsible for leading the Growth business which includes the business growth programs, networks and services that are focused on adding capability to grow established SMEs. She is also responsible for the alumni and international activities of The ICEHOUSE.
Liz is a Director of Grafton Consulting Group and has extensive experience in the provision of consulting services to clients including facilitation, organisation design and structure, training, role and competency profiling, performance management, capability needs analysis, management coaching, and change management.
Liz has spent most of her career contributing to the success of organisations through working with them to develop their most important asset - people. She was Manager, Human Resources Consulting for TMP Worldwide (formerly Morgan & Banks Group) in Auckland. Prior to joining TMP Worldwide, Liz was Director, Training and Development for the New Zealand Institute of Management. In this role she had overall responsibility for NZIM Auckland's executive development, public programmes, customised training and consultancy services and the effective planning and management of international speaker seminars. She also served as Acting General Manager for NZIM for a 4 month period.
Liz joined NZIM shortly after arriving in New Zealand. Originally from New York City, she spent her career prior to moving to New Zealand working for Columbia University Graduate School of Business in New York City. Liz holds a B.A. in Psychology and Business from Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
E: l.wotherspoon@theicehouse.co.nz