Andrew and Nicki love working with people who are committed to imagining what an incredible future looks like.
They worked together at Saatchi & Saatchi; have set up two ideas agencies (Generator and Droga5)
and have created three equestrian businesses as well as developing their Matakana Retreat.
The last 10 years their focus has been on partnering with leading New Zealand CEO’s and co-creating powerful transformations with them.
RECENT EXPERIENCE
Jason Paris – One New Zealand
From control to freedom….creating one.nz
I’ve known Jason Paris, CEO of Vodafone New Zealand for many years. He took on Vodafone at a time when Infratil and Brookfields had bought it off Vodafone PLC and he was determined to create the best company in New Zealand, for all New Zealanders. We worked together to shape the strategic intent of the business. Having created a solid foundation, we agreed the time was right to create a new brand… a brand we would create, own and build with real substance. We decided the best solution was to build a team of amazing people working in partnership with the Vodafone team. We created an amazing team of creative, digital, brand, PR, experience and HR specialists and championed an environment where everyone was welcomed, our aspirations were high and nothing was off the table. Over a period of twelve months, we built one.nz from scratch to launch…with credibility that comes from being of New Zealand, for New Zealand.
“Andrew and I have partnered for over a decade, first on the transformation of Telecom to Spark and now on Vodafone to One New Zealand. He’s ambitious, creative, tenacious, and has your back. He’s the person by your side that will always tell you the truth, and keeps you focussed on what is important to your people, customers and shareholders. Best of all he’s a great Dad, husband and mate who is passionate about the success of New Zealand.”
Jason Paris – One New Zealand
David Seymour – ACT
Guiding someone I believe in… I was introduced to David at an event and we felt pretty aligned. I’m not deeply involved in politics but I do worry about the “nanny state” New Zealand seems determined to head towards. I like his ambitious and pragmatic perspective of what could, and should be. I enjoy sharing my perspectives on issues and approaches…and developing powerful pathways for him to get his parties ambitions across to voters. I’m looking forward to the elections in 2023.
“Leading a political party combines team leadership, public policy, and communications. Each of these are applied across multiple theatres. I’ve been lucky over the past couple of years to have had Andrew as a pro bono sounding board and advisor. He has been generous with his time, and balanced being challenging and supportive. Andrew’s thinking is original and provocative, I’ve gotten a lot out of spending time with him.”
Charles Whiting – Debt Managers
Tired Intercoll to the leader in debt management… I was introduced to Charles and Jake and liked their ambitions. They are both former Finance executives, now entrepreneurs. They spoke of investing in a business and transforming it with me leading that transformation. When they told me they had invested in Intercoll, I gulped, but I really enjoyed their ambition so went on a journey with them. We spent time with their people, understood how they wanted to be perceived by corporate New Zealand who need their debtors managed and created a new organization. We created the name, the ambition and the values of the organization. Then we worked with James Polhill and Damon O’Leary to create the new brand across everything they do. The business has grown exponentially after the rebrand and is now poised for huge future growth into new markets.
“We acquired Intercoll in late November 2020 and it was apparent that the business was not telling its positive story as well as it could. Put simply it was encumbered by negative perceptions of ‘debt collection’. The reality of the actions of the business were very different. Andrew’s work has helped us transform not only our business but a sector that is so often ostracized. Notwithstanding, debt is part of life and shouldn’t be something that clients and customers fear. The good work of many in our sector is often forgotten. Andrew’s work has enabled us to positively transform this stigma with a move to DebtManagers and the concept of debt management versus old out of date methods characterised by debt collection. Andrew’s capacity to analyse, assess and then humanise not only our vision and objectives for the business but also to fold that into the right tone in the community is second to none. DebtManagers personifies our point of difference. It empowers all of us especially our team and customers. It is enabling us to make positive changes for good with our clients, customers and in the community.”
Chris Quin – Foodstuffs NZ
I was asked by Chris Quin, CEO of Foodstuffs North Island to partner with another consultant and provide advice to he and his Board on how their business could emerge from Covid-19 stronger and more aligned to New Zealanders given they are a Co-op owned by New Zealanders throughout the North Island.
“I had worked with Andrew at Spark and felt he was a person with relevant business and brand experience. His insights were based on observations of the New Zealand consumer, the experiences customers get from us (and our competition) and global best practice. The insights were clearly delivered with aligned recommended action points. We still have a way to go as we deliver through Covid-19, but his guidance has been welcomed by me and the Board.”
Theo Spiering – Fonterra
I was asked by a Fonterra Board member to partner with Theo Spierings and his team on creating greater external understanding, influence and momentum. I discovered there is so much that Fonterra and their farmers do that deserves much greater recognition. We managed to get 1,500,000 New Zealanders to better understand and appreciate Fonterra’s role, we increased pride from within and we created some enduring programmes for sustained value including the global “Trusted Goodness” initiative. Still more work to do but a privilege to be involved.
“Andrew has worked with me, the leadership team and the Board since April 2016. In that time he has bought a clarity of thinking, creativity and energy to what we have been doing. Some key contributions from Andrew have been
1. leading our New Zealand reputation work where we have converted over 1.5M New Zealanders to see Fonterra more positively
2. creating “ Trusted Goodness” as our global branding programme to ensure we maximise the value of what we do
3. helping shape the way we describe our strategy to ensure greater understanding throughout the business 4. managing the final day of our Global Leaders Conference around inspiring the team about the future for nutrition
5. providing wise counsel to me on various matters
“Andrew has an ability to relate across the business and with our farmers. He turns those relationships into powerful insights that then drive great solutions. His contribution to Fonterra has been enormous. On a personal note, I have always trusted and welcomed his advice to me. I wish him well.” Unchanged: Andrew has an ability to relate across the business and with our farmers. He turns those relationships into powerful insights that then drive great solutions. His contribution to Fonterra has been enormous. On a personal note, I have always trusted and welcomed his advice to me. I wish him well.”
Simon Moutter – Spark NZ
Partnering Simon Moutter, MD of Spark New Zealand to transform Telecom from a tired incumbent to a much more competitive and successful Spark. Mobile market share has increased by 2%, staff engagement has improved and the brands have higher relevance and cut through. EDITDA is up 7% to $936M and the share price has increased 30% in the past 12 months. Andrew led the team that transformed the Telecom brand to Spark on August 8th in what was described by several commentators as one of the best transformations in New Zealand’s business history. Practically, all market preference measures have improved as a result of the rebranding.
“I have been leading the turnaround of Telecom New Zealand and its re-invention as Spark New Zealand since August 2012. Andrew Stone has been at my shoulder for all of that time and can be credited with a significant contribution to the company’s rapidly improving performance. Andrew’s ability to simplify concepts and narrow down scope to the things which matter most and then be ambitious about implementation, have really helped us get this business back on a path to success.”
Wayne Pickup – Lotto NZ
Partnering Wayne Pickup, CEO Lotto NZ to continue the phenomenal growth Wayne has led over the past 2 years. Under Wayne’s leadership, sales and profits distributed to communities throughout New Zealand have dramatically increased with more than $230M distributed last year. Wayne is looking to transform the business to lock in longer term growth with a stronger retail base, increased digital sales and refreshed brands.
“Andrew provides a perspective on our business and brand that is often challenging and revealing. He is grounded in customer reality and calls it as he sees it. He has a knack for simplifying the complex and his advice is always pragmatic, thoughtful and of value.”
Julian Davidson – Independent Liquor
Partnering Julian Davidson, CEO of Independent Liquor and his Executive team to continue the momentum that saw them grow from a rebel, niche player to Number 1 in RTD’s and Number 3 in beer, cider and spirits. After rising to Number 3 in overall share the desire was to create a new strategic plan to lock in growth for the period 2015-19. This has now been completed and is in the execution phase with 35% profit increase locked in for FY15 and the strongest brand/NPD platforms in place.
“The contribution Andrew has made over a very short period of time has been significant. He pushes boundaries, challenges accepted norms, test and amplifies growth strategies, and drives cost reduction extremely aggressively; wrapping all of this up with solid yet down to earth commercial and strategic understanding. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty working with our strategy team, and is equally powerful in a boardroom situation. His impact has been significant. He is a genuine change agent.”
Bruce McLachlan – Cooperative Bank
Partnering Bruce McLachlan, CEO of The Co-operative Bank as he continues the transformation of the former PSIS to the revitalized Co-operative Bank. Bruce has led technology change, transformed the branch network and is now expanding to ensure the greatest number of like-minded customers can join the Bank, enjoy the best service and the knowledge that they are rewarded as the Bank prospers. Ensuring this is built on the strongest positioning is vital to this journey.
“Andrews work was quite confronting for the Bank. It delivered a no holds barred insight into reality. It challenged some engrained thinking. It told us things as a management team we should have known, but had not worked hard enough to uncover. In the end, not a single finding from Andrew has been contested. It has though provided a tremendous basis for the Bank to adjust the strategy and refocus the brand, segmentation, marketing and culture based efforts.”
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