Dave Simmons Email & Phone Number

Auckland, Nz

A founding partner in Joots. At Joots we help clients 'Jump Out Of The System' and build new ventures, products and business models that grow revenue. Our unique team is made up of executives, entrepreneurs and experts that assist to find innovative solutions to drive growth. Joots blends commercial acumen, lean start-up thinking, tech and hands-on leadership development, to uncover and develop value creating opportunities for our clients. Joots.co.nz

With a very clear purpose to improve the health and wellbeing of builders, Workdek has developed a building platform that sets new standards for Health and Safety on construction sites, whilst dramatically improving productivity.

Auckland, Auckland, Nz

Working alongside the Directors of this fast growing logistics business to provide strategic guidance on further accelerating, and supporting, the growth of this business

E-commerce Travel Technology company and Global OTA of Flights and Hotel product.

Sydney, Nsw, Au

Southern Travel Holdings is the parent company of a diverse range of travel and tourism businesses including Australasia's largest airline GSA, a leading tourism board representation business, a specialist Japanese inbound tourism business and a JV partner in Pacific Attitude - a sports travel business.

Napier, Hawke'S Bay, Nz

A member of a five-person board that is responsible for the development and implementation of a strategy to drive tourism growth to the Hawkes Bay region. During my time time with Hawkes Bay Tourism, the organisation has experienced substantial funding growth from key stakeholders and delivered above national average visitation and economic growth

NFL Forklifts is New Zealand's exclusive distributor of Hangcha Forklifts and a distributor of Combilift and Aislemaster Lift trucks. Working with the Leadership team, I have been supporting the development and implementation of a customer driven business growth strategy.

Auckland, Nz

Working alongside the CEO and Private Equity Investors to develop and execute revenue growth strategies

Auckland, Nz

Following the creation of the joint venture between Tourism Holdings Ltd and US based Thor Industries (the worlds largest RV manufacturer), I was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Togo. Togo (runswithtogo.com) is the core business of the JV and has the objective of creating a digital platform to serve the needs of the global RV owner eco-system. Togo was successfully launched in the US in Sept '18 providing white label technology solutions to leading RV brands including Airstream, Thor Motor Coach and Heartland RV. The business has experienced rapid growth since Sept, launching a series of new products (connectivity, roadside, premium) and launching new partner programmes in the US and beyond which cumulatively have resulted in rapid growth of the customer base. The growth has been underpin by the crafting and creation of a strong, vibrant, entrepreneurial culture that has enabled, in a short period of time, the development of a high performing team.

Auckland, Nz

This role had responsibility for the development and execution of new business strategy within THL. The primary focus has been on the launch and operational execution of THL's new peer 2 peer business model - mighway.com. The role has had full responsibility for: brand development, global demand generation, development of a strong and distinctive culture, digital platform development, customer experience roadmaps and international expansion.

Auckland, Nz

As Chairman of Discover New Zealand, I led the establishment of robust governance practices, in addition to working with management to define the strategy of this tour operator to support long-term economic sustainability. During my time as Chair, the business divested of under performing aspects of the business, rebuilt the leadership team and executed on a strategy of focused growth. The business was successfully sold in Oct 2017.

Freemans Bay, Auckland, Nz

As VP of Global Markets I have led the performance of the company’s wholly owned distribution business across Germany, UK, US, China and Nordic, with additional strategic oversight for the network of 22 independent distributors. Overseeing more than $100m in sales revenue, I have driven new and innovative B2B marketing and sales strategy, and led the acquisition and consolidation of multiple subsidiaries through the US, Germany and China.In addition to establishing a new HR framework, I have created and led the major transformation change project ‘OneTeam’ to improve the culture across the global business and ensure the cohesive and customer focused delivery of services to clients. This resulted in improved engagement and a more positive culture, with engagement survey scores increasing by 20% in the first year.

Auckland, Nz

As General Manager for the online and leisure business, I was able to transform the airlines direct distribution business including global online and digital channels, Grabaseat, Air New Zealand Holidays and Tandem Travel. Following an 18 month redevelopment programme I led the relaunch of the Air New Zealand global consumer website, delivering revenue in excess of $2bn following a period of stagnation. Leading and motivating a team of over 200 during this time, I led a team who transformed Tandem Travel, an underperforming business, focusing on B2B sales and operational execution, developing this into a profit generating entity in only ten months. I was the lead negotiator that resecured a profitable all-of-government contract with $140m in associated revenue. I also led the development of a global ancillary revenue strategy that included the development of numerous product initiatives including direct ancillary revenue such as seat select and Plus Grade, and indirect ancillary revenue initiatives such as taxis.co.nz, accommodation, and car hire to generate significant EBIT growth.

Launching and leading this online travel meta-search network, I oversaw the business strategy, capital raising and subsequent angel funding rounds, in addition conceptualising and project managing the development of the digital platform. Following the launch the business was able to successfully deliver over $3m in revenue, with a multi-site team of over 30 based throughout the UK, Russia, India, Australia and New Zealand. To support the organisations growth, I developed networks across other travel meta-search sites, international tourism boards, and international media organisations. The business was exited in 2009.

Gb

A founding Executive of this business, Silverjet provided all business class flight services between London, New York and Dubai. I was a key member of the five-person management team that secured the successful IPO of business plan on London’s AIM market, raising £27 from institutional investors. Overseeing marketing strategy and a multi-channel distribution strategy I created a wide network with some of London’s leading business professionals and executive leaders.

As the Managing Director of Ekonsol, an innovative travel fulfilment business, I led a reverse takeover of the larger Quest Travel in July 2001 to create Quest Travel Holdings. During this time I drove significant sales growth to £30m, and achieved increases of 24% year on year. After successfully taking this business from an underperforming, struggling entity, to a sustainable organisation, I then facilitated the trade sale of Quest Travel to Opodo in January 2005.

General Manager of Airtours flight consolidation activities. Lead a significant cultural change programme and launched a direct sell brand.

Global Strategic Management, Global Strategic Management

Bachelor Of Commerce (Bcom), Masters Of Commerce (Mcom), Marketing; Organisation Culture Change