Nick is a Director and co founder of Catapult. Nick has held leadership positions throughout his professional life. He started his working life as a journalist and his first leadership role was at age 23 when he was appointed editor of a national weekly financial and business newspaper. Nick decided to stop reporting on business and began working in the business of marketing and communications. He won many marketing awards and at age 33 was appointed General Manager of the Wellington office of international advertising company Ogilvy. The following year, and under Nick’s leadership, the office was awarded best advertising agency of the year by the National Business Review.
He moved to the US and was appointed as a Vice President of marketing company Porter Novelli. Nick returned to New Zealand in 1998 and established Catapult with Andrea Thompson. Nick delivers many of Catapult’s leadership programmes including the flagship public programme Catapult Leadership as well as customised in-house programmes for the likes of ACC and PGG Wrightson. In terms of Catapult consulting work, Nick specialises in working with senior leadership teams and boards facilitating strategy and team development.
Nick holds a bachelor of arts degree in history and politics from the University of Otago and a masters qualification in strategic leadership from Michigan State University. He is a dynamic and engaging presenter. His personal leadership experience enriches his consulting and leadership development work. Nick has delivered development programmes in New Zealand, Australia, the US, Singapore, Solomon Islands, and the UK.
‘Nick has worked with our board and executive for over a year. He has helped us work together to build a high performing team. By sharing a range of leadership frameworks and tools, and most of all, his sage insights, he has greatly assisted us to grow as leaders. I strongly recommend Nick.’ Nicola Sladden, Banking Ombudsman.
‘Nick is an excellent facilitator of senior teams. I have experience of him operate at Board level; with Senior teams and with operational delivery teams. His style is collaborative and engaging. He brings an intelligent approach to facilitation, thinking on his feet and summarising quickly and succinctly. I cannot recommend Nick more highly.’ Libby Harrison, General Manager, Health and Environment, GNS Science.
Specialist Areas
- Facilitation strategic planning
- Senior management team performance
- Board team performance
- Delivery of Catapult Leadership and in-house leadership programmes
Nick is keen on guitars and reading. In summer he races his Sunburst sailing dinghy at Worser Bay. Winter finds him battling away left midfield in Masters 4 soccer for the legendary University Bombers team.