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 a committed group of fantastic judges on our panel who have given their time voluntarily to helping find New Zealand's heroes in small business ... our "Davids".
FOUNDER OF GLOBAL BEDWETTING BRAND BROLLYSHEETS
Diane Hurford is the founder of global
bed wetting brand Brolly Sheets.
As the start up’s sole employee she was responsible for product and website design, inventory management, order fulfillment and customer experience, she has the proven experience of what it means to run a small business.
EDITOR - NZBUSINESS MAGAZINE
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.
Pam set up her first small business in 2004. Since then she has experienced many of the challenges that small businesses face. She has also tasted the success and the satisfaction of working for yourself.
As a “serial connector” herself Pam understands the power of networking and referrals in a small country such as New Zealand. She has worked as a Director/Consultant for BNI which allowed her to help businesses to get the most out of their networking experience.
Pam also has a Health and Wellness business. Pam has personal experience of entering business awards reaching the finals in the Westpac Enterprise North Shore Marketing awards and the Humour in Business Awards. She recognises the value of entering the awards even if you don’t win as it gives you a chance to really assess what you have achieved and where your business plans to go next.
Pam contributes to a number of training and networking events for small businesses. She was also involved in the running of the NZ Small Business Summit.
ONLINE BUSINESS OPERATOR
Richard O’Brien is an online business
operator who has a production engineering and marketing background. He
has worked in a wide range of businesses from small engineering
companies to large energy sector corporates.
He commenced his career with a General Engineering company in Christchurch where at a young age he went on to run his own business unit.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CARBONCLICK
Kiwi born entrepreneur, angel investor, and the first Supreme Winner of The David Awards.
Dave has owned over a dozen businesses, most of which were passion projects that grew quickly to a profitable exit opportunity. He held several board positions and co-founded the charity “SeaCleaners”. SeaCleaners has removed over 200 shipping containers' worth of plastics from our oceans.
ENTREPRENEUR AND COMMUNITY DYNAMO
Yem immigrated from the UK to New Zealand in 2001. With entrepreneurship and community engagement in her blood, Yem has also forged her career working in Local Government, Early Childhood Education, the Energy sector and the Insurance industry.