About Geoff…
Geoff trained as a journalist and after working in media in New Zealand and Australia, he moved into marketing and communications in Wellington. In 1979, he became New Zealand managing director of an international public relations consultancy, and soon after moved to Auckland, handling major accounts including BP New Zealand Ltd, the Port of London Authority, Olympic Airways and Twinnings Tea.
He formed his own company in the 1982 and worked with New Zealand banks for the launch of the Bankcard credit card, the opening of Sheraton Hotels in Auckland and Rotorua, Donaghy Industries and other major clients. He joined the Auckland Harbour Board in 1986, and took the Board through privatisation to become Ports of Auckland Ltd.
He moved to the United Kingdom in 1996, working in marketing in the computer industry in Windsor before joining The National Trust, leading the communications team for Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Dorset and Somerset, which contained 56 historic properties and countryside sites. In 2002, Geoff and his wife took up residence in Antrobus House, a historic house near Salisbury, owned by a private Trust. The Queen Anne style house, set in 3 acres of grounds was popular as a venue for conferences, weddings and other events and the business grew by over 300 percent during Geoff’s tenure.
Returning to New Zealand in 2008, Geoff has resumed his marketing and communications consultancy business operating from Whitby in Wellington.
Geoff holds a Diploma in Journalism from Wellington Polytechnic, a Diploma in Communication Studies from Manukau Institute of Technology, and a Diploma in Teaching Skills, also from Manukau. He has extensive computer skills over the Microsoft range of programmes, Publisher, Quark Express, Photoshop, and has written regularly for websites and the internet.
Geoff holds two Cherrington Awards for public relations excellence for campaigns associated with the launch of Bankcard and the Sheraton Hotel opening and a Sheraton Special Award for first birthday celebrations. He has authored several books including a text book for marketing and public relations as it relates to the shipping industry in New Zealand and he lectures regularly at a tertiary level.