Council Members
The council sets the Association's strategic objectives, manages and controls the Association's affairs, and is elected by members at the Annual General Meeting.
Dr. Ray Thomson - Chairman
BSc (Hons), PhD (Physics), Dip Acc
Dr Ray Thomson is a professional director based in Auckland. From 1979 to 1985, he worked as an investment analyst in sharebroking, firstly with Jarden & Co and then with O'Connor Grieve & Co. From 1985 to 1998, he worked as an executive director in charge of investments, initially with Omnicorp Investments and then with Strathmore Group.
Marcel van den Assum - Vice Chairman
Marcel van den Assum is a Professional Director and Independent Advisor. His roles include Chairman IInterGrid (GreenButton) Ltd, Chairman Voco Ltd, Director Simpl Group Ltd, Director Yonix Ltd, Director AngelHQ, Partner in Lush Design Gallery, and Advisory Board positions with private and public sector entities including New Zealand Inland Revenue.
Dean Tilyard - Treasurer
Dean Tilyard is Chief Executive Officer of The Bio Commerce Centre in Palmerston North. Dean works primarily in investment for early-stage technology businesses and commercialisation from science institutions. He led the successful formation of angel investment group MIG (Manawatu Investment Group), whose 30 members are active in early-stage investing.
Suse Reynolds - Executive Director
Suse Reynolds is the founder of Angel HQ, the Wellington region's angel network. She currently sits on the Board of Angel HQ and is an enthusiastic believer in the ability of angel investment to make the world a better place. Suse was formerly the Chief Operating Officer and GM Investment at Grow Wellington.
Bill Murphy
Bill is a Director of Catalyst Management Services, CA's and specialist early stage business advisors. He is actively involved in education and advisory work for investors and entrepreneurs. Bill founded and manages the second largest angel investment group in NZ, Enterprise Angels whose 40 members are active predominantly in early-stage investing.
Brent Ogilvie
Mr Brent Ogilvie is the Founder and Managing Director of Pacific Channel Limited. Through Pacific Channel activities as a seed investor, Mr Ogilvie serves as an Advisory board member of ICE Angels, Australasia’s largest group of experienced investors, with over 90 members and founder of its Chinese investor group; and Trustee of the Urban Eco-living Trust, which teaches New Zealand youth about sustainable living through a mobile-learning centre.
Chris Twiss
Chris is an Investment Director for NZVIF's Seed Co-investment Fund. Over the last 20 years he has gained extensive venture capital, private equity, angel investment, merchant banking, legal and entrepreneurial experience in London, Europe and New Zealand.
Greg Sitters
Greg is an experienced IT professional and executive with more than 25 years working in NZ, Australia, Asia and the US. He was involved in setting up Sun Microsystems and Silicon Graphics in NZ, and has worked for these companies in NZ and overseas in executive management and international forums.
Murray Downes
Murray Downes joined Upstart Business Incubator as General Manager for Technology in August 2006 and was appointed Deputy CEO in December 2009. He resigned in August 2011 to work on consulting assignments. Murray is Network Manager for Otago Angels Limited and is a consultant to Otago Polytechnic and CPIT.
Tim Chapman
Tim Chapman is a Venture Partner at powerHouse Ventures.
Tim was the General Manager of a corporate technology spin-out, which successfully negotiated a license for the technology to the world leading company based in Italy. He also has significant general management experience in manufacturing and supplying of products throughout Australasia.
