Chris Pickrill, SIFT General Manager. MA Economics (Hons), FNZIM
Chris Pickrill is the Managing Director of Behaviour Change specialists, The Shannon Company (NZ), Ltd and provides contracted management services to SIFT. Chris is actively involved in the research, strategic planning and marketing of behaviour change and sustainability initiatives with economic, social and environment agendas. Chris has over 30 years of general management, marketing and research experience in major New Zealand corporates as well as 15 years of teaching and mentoring with the SME sector. He is an experienced senior executive who has managed a number of New Zealand's major apparel companies including Canterbury of New Zealand, the world famous rugby brand. Between 1990 and 2008 Chris held general management and chief executive roles in the government, local government and not-for-profit sectors with 12 years as Chief Executive of the Canterbury Development Corporation, the economic development agency for Christchurch City.
Chris has significant investment analysis and management experience based on his governance and management roles with the Canterbury Economic Development Fund (CEDF), the Canterbury Innovation Incubator (Cii) and a number of technology start-up ventures. He advises on investment proposals, carries out due diligence and funding structure reviews and is familiar with IP management and protection and competition and market analysis. An experienced facilitator and persuasive advocate, Chris Pickrill underpins his leadership skills with a full complement of strategic and operational management and governance skills. Chris spent 2008 to 2012 as Chair of SIFT before resigning to take over the general management of the trust.
