Richard Coon

Richard has a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University, is a Chartered Accountant and the serial entrepreneur behind the founding of well-known Kiwi financial services companies, such as Sovereign Assurance, Seniors Money and Partners Life. As an investor and Chairman of Angel Investors Marlborough (AIM), he actively works with high growth companies to help them achieve their plans. When not involved with his business interests, you can often find Richard yacht racing or spending time with his family.

Tracy Atkin

Tracy is the CEO of Marlborough Capital Ltd, a specialty investment bank that invests in start-ups and small businesses. She is a Chartered Accountant and has a Business Degree from Victoria University. Tracy trained in business services, audit and forensic accounting with Price Waterhouse in Wellington, before moving to London to further a career in the financial services industry. She subsequently gained a Project Management qualification as well as in Kaizen Lean Process Transformation. In 2001 she decided to follow her passion for the wine industry and retrained in Grape-growing and Winemaking. Tracy moved from Auckland to Marlborough in 2018 to set up NZ’s first Grape and Wine Research Institute, as well as project-managing the build of a national research winery. In 2019 she was awarded an AGMARDT Leadership Scholarship and completed Escalator - a year-long course in Leadership and Governance for women in primary industries. When not spending time with her 3 children, she loves jogging, cooking, and of course Marlborough wine.

Stephen Waters

As a consultant Stephen has had many varied assignments including, Merger & Acquisition support, Strategic Support to Not for Profits at Board / CXO level, Professional Services framework development and support, Strategic Planning and execution support. An experienced business consultant who has worked across a range of industries including education, banking, manufacturing, telecommunications and IT, for over 10 years. This also included working in central government on transformation projects. Skills Consulting Group has been his gig for the from 2013 to 2020, working in the Senior Management team, domiciled in Auckland then Wellington and latterly in the “Top of the South Island”. Now back to his consulting roots (since Jan 2021) in the Marlborough region, working with a diverse set of clients (SMEs) on pro bono and chargeable basis. Sits on the Angel Investors Marlborough board, Marlborough Chamber of Commerce board and is a Business Mentor in the community, alongside being the Facilitator of the 9 a.m. weekly meeting under The Networkers umbrella for small businesses in Blenheim. As a business leader, certified information systems auditor, with a comprehensive background in business, IT operations and management, Stephen brings unique insight into strategy, integration, and operations. His experience across the various industries in transformation consultancy and business performance is of great value to any client. A great backboard to support you in taking your business forward.

Warren McNabb

Warren’s background is in law and infrastructure and utility investment banking in New Zealand and Canada. Since returning to New Zealand in 2004, he divides his time between renewable energy development (as a partner in a community scale wind farm developer), carbon farming as an investor in native and exotic forestry, governance roles across energy and infrastructure companies and private capital investment across the startup, private equity and private debt markets. 

Nicky Wagner

Nicky has a multifaceted career that combines business and politics. She has an MBA from Massey University and has worked in education, marketing and e-commerce. For 15 years she was an MP, and a Minister of the Crown. She is an Adjunct Fellow at Canterbury University with a special interest in entrepreneurship and new ventures. She recently moved to the Sounds and is fully enjoying magnificent Marlborough.

Rohit Girijadharan

Rohit is a customer-focused and data-driven Agilist with over 15 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, quality management, systems audit, agile project delivery, change management, training, mentoring, and coaching. Rohit has served customers under various capacities in banking, insurance, FMCG and freight industries gaining and sharing transferable attributes and knowledge. He has a strong background in aligning people through IT and business strategy for value-driven outcomes. He actively contributes to the community as a Deputy Chair for Volunteer Marlborough Board and a Business Mentor for Business Mentors New Zealand.

Dorien Vermaas

Economic Development Portfolio Manager

Mgr Marlborough Screen Office

Marlborough District Council since August 2020

Master of Technological Futures – AcademyEX

Startup mentor and investor

Prior to my role at MDC I served WellingtonNZ for 6 years in a capacity of

Team Manager Sector Development & Business Attraction for the Wellington region.

I work in the Economic development team at MDC together with Mark Unwin and Neil Henry. My role at MDC has allowed me to work on a vision for the Marlborough economy to co-design an economic wellbeing strategy for the region. The strategy was published end of last year and has a strong focus on implementing a tech & innovation programme in the region as well as actively supporting and promoting the start-up ecosystem and sustainability. Before my roles in the public sector I spent over half of my career in the private sector running my own Marlborough-based Wine Company with 20 export markets and in marketing & sales roles for large corporates such as Apple and Philips.

My strengths are in innovation, strategy and building innovation communities. Building eco-systems for change and adaptation of technology in sectors and the collaboration between government agencies, business sectors, investors, research institutes and other stakeholders.

I’m committed supporting the growth of the Māori economy and I bring specific experience in the transformation from traditional sectors such as agriculture, viticulture, manufacturing, the ocean-economy through technology. Innovation, achieving wellbeing–goals and lowering carbon-emissions are high on my agenda.

I’m a strong advocate for promoting diversity, acknowledging identity and telling the authentic stories of Marlborough – pivotal for a thriving future for economic, social and cultural wellbeing.

I live in Picton and my working life is balanced with walking, biking, sculpting & painting. I’ve just finished the pilgrimage of the Camino the Santiago through Portugal & Spain – a unique experience I can’t wait to take on the Whale trail once it’s finished!

My 3 adult kids grew up here in Marlborough and they’re now developing their careers and work-experience in Auckland and in Europe. It is my dream that they’ll all return one day to beautiful Marlborough to live a fantastic lifestyle and be immersed in rewarding and inspiring jobs in the region. I’m highly committed to supporting the transformation of economic sectors and building new investment opportunities in the region as week as linking great economic outcomes to excellent environmental, social & cultural wellbeing outcomes.

Ngā mihi nui,

Dorien Vermaas

Tom Holohan

Living in Blenheim for 5years with my wife Fina and two young children Ethan and Phebe. I’ve been working in construction since finishing school 21 years ago. I started as an apprentice Carpenter and after getting qualified I became self-employed as soon as possible. Business was in my bones. When the GFC struck Ireland badly, I used the time to further my skills and so I studied a degree in construction with quantity surveying. As I was finishing my degree the Earthquakes in Christchurch happened and so New Zealand came calling and so I upped everything and headed to the other side of the planet. I’ve been in New Zealand for just over ten years now where I’m still developing my QS skills. I own my own little business here called QS Marlborough Ltd which is low key for now as I have recently joined the lead contractor for the local High School’s project. This will be a challenging project for the next 6years in Blenheim and one that I’m enjoying so far.

AIM – My wife and I joined aim in late 2021 and have been regular visitors each month. I personally enjoy learning about the set-up and journey of these start-ups and the connections they make locally here in Blenheim, the impact that AIM can have on them and the impact they offer to the main industries here in Marlborough. I’m enjoying learning more and more about Governance, and so I hope to be a valid member on the board of AIM.

Outside of work – I used to be a Rugby Referee here in Blenheim for 8years. This year I’ve stepped down as our kids are stepping up in their activities on weekends. I enjoy spending time with family and going up the Wither Hills for walks or runs.

Gina Jewell

Gina is a communications specialist with more than 25 years experience across the public and private sector.

When she moved to Blenheim in 2022, Gina had been a partner and owner of Wellington public relations consultancy for the past 20 years, and is now working as an independent contractor. Her areas of expertise include strategic communications, stakeholder management, issues and risk management, crisis planning and media relations.

Throughout Gina’s career she has worked with a wide array of businesses, from start-ups through to listed companies. She comes from a family of small business owners, and currently supports two start-ups in an advisory capacity.

Gina has also been a volunteer for many years, including as a Business Mentor for Business Mentors New Zealand and in support of the Community Comms Collective, where communications professionals donate their expertise to support community organisations.

Brian Dawson - Manager

In addition to working for Angel Investors Marlborough Brian is also Manager of Business Trust Marlborough. He is also a District Councillor. Brian and his wife Tricia have owned and operated their own business for the past 19 years.