Our board members

David G

M.A.Hons,(Cantab) M.A.(V.U.W.) DipTeso

I left U.K. after Cambridge University for three years O.E. and just sort of
stayed here. My main career has been teaching at secondary and tertiary level, with a two-year interlude as Personnel Officer at Pilkington New Zealand many years ago.

I have always been involved with community groups, Jaycees, Lions, College Boards and Rotary and when Verity asked my Rotary club for help in filling a vacancy on the Trust Board they volunteered my name.

I have been very pleased to be involved with the Hearing Trust as I strongly believe in the importance of our national health service as a service rather than a private or for-profit organisation. Our Trust, with its brilliant staff, makes expert advice and treatment available at minimum cost to everyone. Its success is important both directly and indirectly in providing an alternative to the well resourced private sector.

Lesley M

I have over 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector as an employee/manager and served on the Boards of various NGOs.

Prior to that, I was involved in the education sector as a secondary school teacher and with Playcentre when my girls were pre-schoolers.

I have age-related hearing loss; I have been a consumer of the HV Hearing Trust’s services and I am pleased to be on the Board of such a worthwhile organisation.

Murray C

I have several family members and close friends who suffer from hearing disability. Prior to retirement I worked with disabled clients, so I am familiar with the frustrations in dealing with failing hearing. I have also used the services of this Trust.

My personal skills have developed from:

a career in commercial banking (covering risk management, audit, compliance
and process improvement),
a National Trust (covering Grants approval and ISO quality accreditation) and
Board Secretary of an International youth organisation.
Financial, treasurer and review roles for local non-profit organisations.

I hope these professional and personal skills will benefit the governance of the Hutt Valley Hearing Trust.

Kevin D

An email arrived one day asking for support to help the association survive a round of departures from its board. It resonated on a number of levels. Firstly, I have experienced its support and care at an operational level as my hearing began to deteriorate. Secondly, my journey into retirement was just beginning and finding a voluntary group to support was on my list. And lastly, I believe in the aims of a trust with a mission to help people access services which are often out of reach because of cost.

A little bit about me. I have been an IT professional for a very long time, more recently working at a regulator with oversight of the financial services sector. I have a broad knowledge and understanding of a range of technology, having experienced the implementation of mobile communications, personal and mid-sized computers, software solutions and emerging trends like cyber security, cloud and AI. I have a particular interest in the enhancements hearing aids are incorporating as research and development, combined with miniaturisation combine to improve wearers experiences.

As someone who relies on hearing aids to help navigate a busy life of fulltime work, social interactions and helping care for a delightful four-year-old granddaughter, I bring a range of skills to the board and look forward to supporting its aims in any way I can.

Mark K

I am a business strategist and facilitator with over 20 years’ experience across the public and private sectors. I bring a strong background in strategic planning, business analysis, and organisational change to the Hutt Valley Hearing Board.

I am passionate about supporting initiatives that improve community wellbeing and inclusion. Through my work with Hutt Valley Hearing, I aim to help strengthen awareness of hearing health and ensure that those affected by hearing loss can access the support they need to thrive.

Robin T

I have lived in New Zealand for over 40 years initially in the Hutt and after several moves returned to the Hutt six years ago.

In the Uk I worked for two large companies in FMCG – mainly in Sales and Marketing
roles. Moved to New Zealand to work for a subsidiary company for three years and never returned.

Since then, I have worked in a Utility Company – been involved in a management ‘buy-out’ – then worked in Environmental Labelling [I was Chair of the Global Ecolabelling Network] until I retired.

I have experience in all aspects of Governance. Since retirement I have been a Business Mentor, worked for the CAB and am qualified as a teacher of English as a second language.