David Irving One of the Inspirational Kiwis Nominated for New Zealander of the Year

Last year, David Irving was one of a few inspirational Kiwis who were nominated for the prestigious New Zealander of the Year Award in 2012.

David's passion and commitment to the growth and productivity of SMEs in New Zealand led him to co-founding The Icehouse

Since the establishment of The Icehouse, David has dedicated his work to owner managers and their medium sized business performance.  He plays an active role in The Icehouse Owner Manager Programme through passing on his knowledge in the classroom and reviewing owner manager’s business plans.

In addition to his work at The Icehouse, David spends countless hours empowering owner managers to invest in themselves, their businesses and the country.

David is the retired CEO of Heinz Watties Australasia, Chairman of Prolife Foods, AS Wilcox and AuCom Technologies and an Advisor to Stolthaven Australasia and other owner managers of New Zealand medium sized businesses.

David was the inaugural Sir John Logan Campbell Executive in Residence at the University of Auckland from 1997 to 1998.  He was then made an Adjunct Professor and then an Honorary Professor at The University of Auckland Business School until 2011.

David is now beginning to work with people from outside the business world, though still using what he has learnt from his business and education life experiences. He is also interested in what different walks of life can bring to each other.

David has published two books – It Must Be Watties in 1998 and Changing Gears in 2009 and was a ‘management’ contributor to Unlimited Magazine for four years.  He frequently contributes to conferences as a speaker, facilitator or judge according to the requirements.

He is a recipient of the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration medal.

We congratulate David for his nomination and all his on-going hard work to improve our country and the economy.