Paul Gestro Email & Phone Number

Auckland, New Zealand

A newly created position to design, deliver and lead a unique programme to accelerate the export growth of established high-potential food and fibre businesses, through access to debt capital alongside advice, connections and expertise. The programme will support food and fibre exporters that are at a critical scale-up phase, taking a broader approach to lending, beyond traditional thinking and measures of risk and returns.In establishing ASB ACCESS, we're thinking differently about how we can change to meet the needs of the businesses of the future. This programme is about being more flexible, and supporting our food and fibre entrepreneurs based on the potential we see in them and their businesses.Eligible food and fibre businesses will be backed with advice, connections and support with international trade. We will be working alongside government agencies, industry groups, local business accelerators and global innovation platforms to facilitate this.

Auckland, New Zealand

A newly created position to lead ASB and New Zealand exporter and importer partnerships through the provision of market leading trade and supply chain finance solutions. This is being achieved by connecting ASB customers to the global marketplace, promoting digital trade, accessing outstanding capability and building an advanced network of advocates. A core responsibility will be establishing innovative partnerships to enable New Zealand companies to grow domestically and internationally.

Geneva, Switzerland

New Zealand business representative on the global advisory board to guide the strategic vision and direction of digital payments for trade and commerce. The advisory board is committed to overcome the challenges to enable efficient and secure digital payments for trade and commerce including access to payments infrastructure for the 1.7 billion unbanked adults, remove cross border frictions associated with digital payments and bridge the gap between laws and regulations in payments technology.

Auckland, New Zealand

William Partnerships connects what the world has to offer with what New Zealand has to offer. It is an advisory business that represents international enterprises, individuals and organisations. Listed are the 10+ Board and Advisory positions currently held or concluded;Latin America CAPE - Advisory Group (Nov23-Present)Bolster - Advisory Board (Aug23-Present)NZ International Business Forum - Associate Member (Jan22-Present)World Economic Forum - Digital Payments Advisory Committee (Apr21-Present)Business Mentors - Mentor (Apr21-Present)Epsom Girls Grammar School - Foundation Board (Mar21-Present)Ecosystem - Principal Advisor (Oct19-Present)NZ Asian Leaders - Ambassador (Oct15-Present)Te Hono - Steering Committee (Jan21-Dec23)Epsom Girls Grammar School - Board Trustee (Oct15-Jun19)ASEAN NZ Business Council - Treasurer & Executive Committee (Jun13-Jun19)Japan NZ Business Council - Vice Chair (Jun13-Oct18)Latipay - Director (Apr17-Jun18)NZ International Business Forum - Board Member (Oct14-Jan17)NZ China Council - Advisory Board (Oct14-Jan17)Victoria University - Board Member Asia Business (Oct13-Jan17)Oob Foods - Advisory Board (Jan14-Aug15)Kea New York - Board Member (Feb09-Feb12)

Auckland, New Zealand

Supported the founder to lead and grow this eCommerce business that developed an online group buying community connecting directly to factories around the world. Key objective was to prepare the business for significant growth including implementing new financial, HR, warehouse and supply chain systems and building teams/culture. Over a two year period I completed two capital raises through wholesale investors and crowd funding. The business also diversified into food and alcohol and set up a new online platform called The Honest Grocer that deployed a unique business model to buy groceries.

Auckland, New Zealand

A newly created position to develop and deliver a strategy that positions the bank as a leader in Asia related trade and capital flow. Primary responsibility was for communicating the banks capabilities to assist New Zealanders and New Zealand companies throughout Asia and drive New Zealand's business and investment activities with Asia. The key goal was to lead the bank and its customers to financial services, networks and business opportunities throughout Asia. This included working with Asian corporations and individuals investing in New Zealand, local companies exporting to Asia and connecting global payments platforms such as Alipay & WeChat Pay to the bank.

Auckland, New Zealand

Part of a NZ Inc. establishment team to identify and develop international commercial partnerships between the NZ government and foreign governments (now G2G Know-How). Projects were either direct government to government commercial deals or involved private firms that commercialise government products and services within the public sector. Also involved in a number of international collaboration projects with New Zealand firms that leverage existing government assets particularly around major sporting events.

New York, Usa

Responsible for the New Zealand Government trade, investment & consular activities in the East U.S.A covering our operations in New York, Washington and Ft Lauderdale offices. Represented New Zealand as Consul General in New York providing political and market advice, improving the position of New Zealand firms in global value chains and promoting the country as an attractive business and investment destination. Responsibility for the leadership of the trade and investment teams in the Eastern part of the United States.

Singapore

A newly created role that required leadership and direction of specialist Asia business development resource in the Investment and Technology sectors. Responsibility to create a strategic plan and develop key senior relationships with international private and public organisations across South & South East Asia.

Auckland, New Zealand

Investment New Zealand was created to be the specialist national investment promotion agency for New Zealand with Technology identified as one of three growth sectors. Responsibility to attract foreign investment (corporate, individual & venture capital) into the technology sector by managing strategic relationships with qualified investors.

Auckland, New Zealand & Sydney, Australia

Advise blue chip corporations on their financial system and management reporting requirements. Senior business consultant for SunSystems from Systems Union Group (now a product of Infor). Sales executive for Olympic Software for their suite of financial management information systems (SunSystems), ERP (Dynamics), CRM (Sebel) and develop the Microsoft relationship.

Auckland, New Zealand

London, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom

High Potentials Leadership

Post Graduate Diploma In Business, International Strategy & Leadership

Bachelor Of Business Studies, Finance, Marketing, Agriculture

Diploma Of Horticulture

Education record