Our Team
Christopher Boys - Partner and Founder
Industries you know well
Sales, Technology, International trade and export, Software development, Marine, Food and Beverage, Specialised Manufacturing, Technology and Education
How many years you have worked in them?
I’ve worked in technology for 15 years, education three, manufacturing three, food and beverage three, sales 20 years
Areas of specialty
Sales strategy, business growth, business development and strategy
Michael Poynter - Head of Market Research
Industries you know well
Chemicals and materials and, through working with clients in this sector, experience in a wide range of downstream industries including healthcare, food & beverage, renewable energy, packaging, aerospace & defence, automotive & transportation, oil & gas, construction, sports & leisure, consumer products…
How many years you have worked in them?
Fifteen years’ experience working in and on behalf of a variety of industries initially as a process engineer/materials scientist in the electronics industry, later based in New York and the United Kingdom working in business development roles serving the pharmaceutical and chemicals and materials industries. For the past ten years I have been a consultant with Frost & Sullivan and the technology transfer office of Oxford University.
Area of Specialty
New market validation, international market expansion, value chain analysis, technology transfer/commercialisation of early stage technologies, project management, business development
What do you get up to in the weekend?
Spending time with family, running and cycling.
Priya Patel - Project Manager
Industries you are interested in?
Food and Beverage – around the organic innovative space – health and wellness as well.
Why did you want to work at Katabolt?
To learn about how small businesses work and what challenges are faced by different industries and people within them – and then how to overcome those challenges. The small business culture has accelerated my learning and it is very motivating to work with different business owners every day.
What do you want to learn?
To salsa dance….but actually, how to use commercialisation to have an impact on important social issues because, I believe that the best way to change them is through business and increasing purchasing power of less privileged individuals.
What are your hobbies?
I love trying new cafes and food – I love the atmosphere. Also, cooking and hanging out with my friends.
What is something interesting about you?
I want to start a social enterprise. Im also a vegetarian.
Andy Mitchell - Growth Strategist
Areas of Speciality?
Building brands, repositioning businesses, leading innovative marketing campaigns and inventing new products. I work closely with Katabolt’s clients on value proposition and value chain to help them understand their position in the current market and how to leverage that to grow in the future.
Brooke Merrick - Project Manager (Intern)
Why did you want to work at Katabolt?
I wanted to help NZ business by analysing the international market place to help them make better decisions. I like to be involved in different business environments and the small team here produces a really motivating culture.
What do you want to learn?
To learn more about the small problems of business that can make a considerable difference if solved or mitigated.
What are your hobbies?
I’ve recently gotten into rock climbing. I also like hiking and of course, travelling. Yearly trips are a must!
What is something interesting about you?
I’m currently working with a social enterprise called Karma Collective. I’m also a vegetarian.
Louise Stodart - Accountant
Industries you know well
Financial Accounting services range from Advertising and Marketing , Import, Film, Property Development, Project Management, Engineers, Events, Real Estate, Service providers, Education.
How many years you have worked in them?
Been in business for 9 years.
Areas of specialty
Financial systems and advice, looking after the running of the financial side of businesses and relieving Directors to do what they are good at.
What do you get up to in the weekend?
Family, good wine, Food, Sailing.
If you were given $1000 and the day off tomorrow what would you do?
I would meet a girlfriend for lunch and then start my summer wardrobe – or get my husband to have a day off and go sailing or to a winery for the afternoon.
Ngaire Woodhams - Project Manager
Industries you know well
Financial services, NGO and Government consultancy. Now an independent freelancer.
How many years you have worked in them?
15 years of experience in total – NZTE for 2.5 years, Financial services in London for 4.5 years and started off in NGO for 2.5 years ago. Now been independent for 4 months – real fresh!
Areas of specialty
Business optimisation, project management, event management and human-centred design.
Kirsten Nevile - Programme Manager
Experienced Design Thinking practitioner passionate about designing engaging customer experiences. Skilled in creative problem solving, building people capability, programme and project management, customer experience and solution design, prototyping and testing, business strategy and planning, change management.
Melissa Jenner - Design Strategist
After spending over 20 years in big corporates, I am now on my next big learning adventure – helping others find happiness in their work.
My skills are a combination of left and right brain – I can jump from Risk & Budget Management, to Design & Ideation quite smoothly. I have a passion for polarised thinking, whereby businesses combine organisational and executional management with creative leadership and innovation to win. I’m also big on diversity, and prefer to work in organisations that embrace colourful teams. I am extremely passionate about growing and empowering individuals and teams through coaching, and being a culture builder in an organisation.
Dianca Mitchell - Market Analyst (Intern)
What are the industries that you know well?
FMCG, science and technology
Why did you want to work at Katabolt?
Because of the variety in day-to-day work and projects offered was super interesting and ensured that I have the opportunity to constantly learn and push myself
What do you want to learn?
The intricacies of project and client management
What are your hobbies?
I’m a massive foodie and love trying new things from all over the world
What is something interesting about you?
My passion lies within the field of social innovation and social entrepreneurship