Judging awards is always a difficult, time-consuming and challenging task, and it's emperative for us that those entrusted with this process are experienced and knowledgeable with regard to all aspects of running a small, micro and home business experience, and can carry out the process with the utmost integrity, objectivity and sensitivity. We are fortunate to have four fantastic judges on our panel who have given their time voluntarily to helping find New Zealand's heroes in small business ... our "Davids".

Glenn Baker

Glenn Baker's career has generally involved writing, first as a radio creative writer, then as a writer/producer for television, and more recently as a magazine contributor/editor.

Glenn was a business owner in Taranaki for six years, and during this period continued to write for magazines, primarily on business and technology issues.

After exiting the business in 2004, he was offered the position of editor for NZBusiness magazine. "Having experienced the emotional roller-coaster ride of buying into a business and endeavouring to build it up in an extremely tough market sector, I have a real appreciation of what business owners are looking for when it comes to support," he says.

After five years overseeing the editorial focus of NZBusiness, he believes the magazine is close to achieving its goal of being New Zealand's most popular small business monthly.

Glenn is married with three children.

Colin Kennedy

Colin Kennedy is an assistant director of BNI and as the Principal of Iron Road Communications – an influence marketing / public relations consultancy – he also handles BNI’s public relations account nationally.

BNI is the world’s biggest structured word of mouth referral organisation and in New Zealand has more than 2,500 members throughout the North and South Islands. As an assistant director of BNI, Colin has responsibility for the South Central region of BNI in Auckland.

Originally a journalist by profession, Colin first worked in military intelligence before moving on to daily newspapers early in his career. Fascinated with how people are persuaded to accept ideas, concepts or things, his career took him into public relations and then sales management and marketing before he moved to New Zealand from South Africa.

Today he works with clients like BNI New Zealand, KiwiHost New Zealand, New Zealand Agritech Inc. and Becon – primarily helping clients to ‘own’ their sectors. He has built up extensive experience in the practise of influence marketing, word of mouth, networking, public relations, copywriting and marketing.

Besides being heavily engaged in aiding the growth of BNI New Zealand, Colin works with New Zealand Agritech Inc. to persuade the rest of the world that New Zealand’s pasture technology is the most environmentally friendly, healthy, cost effective and humane form of farming.

He is also a public speaker, short fiction writer and blogger. He is married to Ursula and they have three daughters. 

Pam Martin

Pam Martin set up Extra Mile training in 2004.  Since then she has experienced many of the challenges that small businesses face.  She has also tasted the success and the joy of working for your self. 

Pam now has a new company called Positive Connexions.  This time Pam has a partner which makes things easier as they work to their personal strengths.   They provide computer training for individuals and businesses helping them increase productivity by learning how to use computers effectively. 

Pam has appeared in a number of articles and her trade mark photo has been published 48 times.  It even helped her reach the finals in the WestPac, Enterprise North Shore Marketing awards and the Humour in Business Awards.  Pam has taught courses on setting up a Home Business.

Pam was a speaker at last year’s NZ Small Business Summit where she launched her book “Beneath the Knowledge Wave”.  The book is a collection of stories and observations on the impact poor computer skills have on both individuals and businesses.  Pam believes that our productivity is leaking out through the holes in our skills.  She also has a mad plan to help New Zealand solve the problem. See www.kiwicomputerchallenge.co.nz.

As a serial networker she understands the power of referral business and worked with Heather Douglas to run the Devonport Home Business Network.  Pam is passionate about the value small businesses add to the New Zealand economy and loves to help them to reach their true potential.

Glenn Smith

Glenn Smith has a background in management consultancy.

He has worked for clients in New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia, the U.S.A and U.K. He has been a Director of public and private companies in New Zealand and has held senior positions in large international corporations and Government agencies.

Nowadays, Glenn is the owner and Managing Director of the Company Net Group, the largest Limited Liability Company and Family Trust formation firm in New Zealand. He operates his business as a Vitual Firm with specialists working in their own home or small offices. Glenn regularly writes articles about company structures and trusts for many New Zealand publications and occasionally speaks to public groups on these topics.

When he's not working on his own business, Glenn offers his time freely to support a number of small businesses as an (informal) business mentor. On (inevitably) cold, wet Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings, Glenn coaches junior rugby at Marist North Harbour.