New Zealand’s leading shower and tapware designer Methven Limited recently announced that George Methven will be inducted as one of eight Laureates into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in July 2017.

Methven, or simply ‘George‘ as he’s known in the Methven business today, set up the business that still bears his name in 1886, behind his home on Goodall Street in Caversham, Dunedin. An 1899 advertisement noted the diversity of the services and products offered by Methven’s company as being “mechanical engineers, iron and brass founders, agricultural implement makers, blacksmiths and duplicators of all makers’ implements”.

The original success was credited to Methven’s strategy of very high quality products that were price competitive, and service that was unsurpassed. George was passionate about the business and it wasn’t until the age of 70 that he stepped down from his active daily participation in the company after 23 years.

The Methven company still designs, develops, manufactures and distributes high quality products from its brand new head office in Avondale, Auckland, and is now available in 12 markets globally.
Group CEO David Banfield said “This is a huge honour. George joins a number of great business leaders of NZ, both past and present, whose history comprises iconic stories of kiwi enterprise, hard work and success. It’s fitting that in the year that our business turns 130, George’s ‘Spirit of Innovation’ is alive and well and enshrined in our values today. We are actively working to ensure his legacy continues to grow, with products and services manufactured and developed in New Zealand.“

Established in 1994 by the Young Enterprise Trust, the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame recognises and celebrates past and present business leaders who have significantly contributed to the economic and social development of New Zealand. The 2017 laureates have iconic kiwi stories of enterprise, hard work and success. The Trust is focused on creating a more prosperous New Zealand through enterprise, and works with schools across the country to help students learn about business and entrepreneurship. Young Enterprise recognises the importance of capturing the history and story of New Zealand’s business and community leaders, so that young entrepreneurs can aspire to emulate them.
The New Zealand Business Hall of Fame Gala Dinner will be held on July 27 at The Langham, Auckland.

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Jon Hassall appointed to general manager position.

Plans to expand its national operations in 2017, Foodco has appointed Jon Hassall to the position of general manager to lead the charge. His new role takes effect from April 1.
Hassall has been national operations manager of Foodco since April 2016. He brings a wealth of experience to the general manager role, including several senior FMCG positions in the UK.He was previously managing director at Hummus Bros UK, worked in the cafe and bakery sector at AMT coffee, Patisserie Valerie and as a consultant to one of the largest contract caterers in the UK, Baxterstorey.
Former general manager Garry Croft will move into an executive director position and will continue with Foodco New Zealand.

“Jon’s experience will be fundamental as the company enters a significant growth phase,” Croft says.
Foodco operates more than 400 Muffin Break and all-day dining Jamaica Blue cafés across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, China, Singapore, Malaysia, and the UAE with plans to significantly expand the Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue brands in New Zealand over the next few years.

“Muffin Break is already a well-regarded brand in New Zealand that will continue to grow this year. We have four great sites coming to the market right now in central and south Auckland and the Coromandel. As well as expanding the number of stores, we are increasing the quality of service, improving the menu and focusing on coffee. Franchisee support will only strengthen this,” says Hassall.

“Earlier this year we opened another Jamaica Blue cafe in Greenlane hospital and are actively looking for franchisee partners for two Auckland CBD sites and in Queenstown, as well as a number of other high-profile, high-footfall locations around the country,” Hassall says.

Hassall says there’s never been a better time for franchisees to join Foodco, with a fantastic hands-on operations and marketing team based in New Zealand to guide new and established franchisees with their business and profit plans.

“I recently attended our industry-leading global conference where the plans from the brand managers were announced. The initiatives range from new training, service programmes, leading-edge technology and exciting new food and beverage additions for both brands,” he says.

About Foodco
Foodco Group was founded in 1989 and has become one of the Australasia’s leading food and coffee franchise business retailer. Concentrating on mall and high street locations, the Foodco group, which comprises of Muffin Break, Jamaica Blue, and Dreamy Donuts, has more than 420 business outlets. Foodco operates across New Zealand, Australia, China, Singapore, India, the UK and UAE.

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The partners of Wellington commercial law firm Ford Sumner are pleased to announce that from 1 April 2017 they will be joined in partnership by Sarah Churstain.
 
Sarah has been with Ford Sumner since graduating in Law and Finance from Waikato University in 2008. Sarah’s practice areas are commercial structures and relationships, property and work for the Accident Compensation Corporation in her role as an approved counsel.
 
Jono Cole, a staff lawyer with Ford Sumner since 2013, will become an Associate of the firm from 1 April. Like Sarah, Jono also deals with commercial structures and relationships and property.
 
Ford Sumner Partner Mark Ford said, “These appointments, along with the recent addition of Angela Yiavasis and Sophie Wright to Ford Sumner’s legal professionals team, reflect the Firm’s strengthening position and focus on future service including significant investment in technology for legal services delivery.”
 
Sarah’s formal appointment is still subject to final Law Society approval expected within a few working days.

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