Kenexa Seminar Series - Speakers

AA Insurance Ltd - In Case of Emergency, Break Glass

Chris Curtin, Chief Executive

Chris has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years having commenced his career with GIO Australia in Sydney.  He held various senior management roles throughout Australia prior to being transferred to New Zealand in 1995 as the CEO of AA Insurance.  Chris is responsible for managing the company’s growth, profitability and return on shareholders’ investments. Chris is also responsible for AA Insurance’s reputation and for ensuring that all staff are engaged and focused on providing an outstanding customer experience.

Chris managed AA Insurance’s transition, in 2002, to a joint venture between the New Zealand Automobile Association Incorporated and Promina Direct Group, which became Suncorp when Promina merged with Suncorp Australia in 2007. He also oversaw the amalgamation of AA Insurance and SIS Insurance.

Chris is an Associate of the Australian Insurance Institute and holds a Graduate Diploma in Business (Administration) from the University of Auckland.

Nikki Howell, Head of Human Resources

Part of the Executive Management team of AA Insurance Limited, Nikki Howell is responsible for developing and managing a broad range of people strategies and developing a longer range strategic people outlook to support the agreed long term plan required by an independent organisation employing over 540 people.  Over the last five years, Nikki has developed and deployed AA Insurance's People Strategy to ensure all staff are encouraged to fulfil their potential in line with expected business outcomes and support driving employee engagement levels higher.  This has included redesigning and deploying new initiatives including those covering recruitment, training, role rotation and reward and recognition. 

Nikki has more than 17 years experience in HR roles in lobbying, health and insurance.  A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (UK), Nikki is also a member of the ICNZ’s Employment & Education Committee.  Prior to joining AA Insurance, Nikki's New Zealand work experience included HR roles at both Vero NZ and the Auckland District Health Board.  Nikki also has a solid background in Employment Relations, Change Management, Union negotiations and Reward and Recognition which she gained through her roles in the United Kingdom. 

New World Te Rapa - Relationship Awareness: Making Leadership Personal

Bob Laws, ex-Personnel Manager at New World Te Rapa and Director of The Self Improvement Tool Kit Company
As Personnel Manager at New World Te Rapa, Bob Laws was asked to find 227 staff for Foodstuff’s then brand new store and implement a successful work culture. In his six years at New World Te Rapa the store was a Best Workplaces Finalist four times - a great result for a supermarket but no surprise to those working there! The supermarket also won the Waikato Top Shop Awards three times (once as the overall winner).

Over time Bob has owned and been the Managing Director of several businesses including Ma Bakers Hot Bread Company and Cambridge Kiwi Fresh. His other senior roles include: Sales Manager at Sunfruit Orchards; Recruiting and Sales Manager at Micro Corp; and Personnel Manager at New World Te Rapa.

Currently Bob works as the sole Director of The Self Improvement Tool Kit Company, and has conducted engagement workshops for Converga Australia, Tokoroa New World and MRC Transmark New Zealand over the last year. To learn more about The Self Improvement Tool Kit Company visit their website: www.theselfimprovementtoolkit.com.

Warehouse Stationery - Bringing leadership to life: Four lessons from Warehouse Stationery

Garth Cook, Learning & Development Manager

Garth is a passionate retailer with extensive experience in HR and L&D.  He started out on the shop floor at Stewart Dawson’s in Christchurch before a sojourn into telecommunications and adventure organisations before returning to retail some time ago.

His time in the field has allowed him to enjoy work ranging from collective negotiations to motivational videos, individual coaching to organisational curriculum design, and from conference design to website development.

He is a keen sailor, cyclist and completed both his under-graduate and post-graduate HR qualifications at the University of Auckland.