ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council)

Tony Nowell
Anthony John  (Tony) Nowell is a professional company director and Founding Director of Valadenz Limited. He was prviously the CEO of Zespri International, the world's leading marketer of kiwifruit, and prior to that he was Managing Director of Griffin's Food Limited, New Zealand's market leading biscuit & snack food manufacturer, a subsidiary of France's Groupe Danone until it divested to Pacific Equity Partners in June 2006.  He prepared and managed the divestment process in collaboration with UBS.  

From 1997 to 1999, he was the Regional Vice President of Sara Lee Asia.  Prior to this, he was the Zone Manager for Sara Lee Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand  from 1995  to 1997, Managing Director of Sara Lee Indonesia  from 1991  to 1994, Managing Director of L'Oreal Indonesia  from 1987  to 1990 and Operations Manager of L'Oreal New Zealand in 1981 to 1986. Mr. Nowell was involved in the hotel industry from 1973 to 1981.

His other roles and responsibilities include: Deputy Chair of Leadership New Zealand, Board member of The Royal New Zealand Ballet Company,  Trustee of Asia:NZ Foundation, Trustee of Anew New Zealand Trust, Trustee of Snowvision New Zealand Trust, Chair of the New Zealand Packaging Accord Governing Board and a member of the Export Advisory Board of Business New Zealand.

Maxine Simmons
Maxine Simmons is a New Zealand biotechnology company pioneer having co-founded one of New Zealand's first biotechnology companies in 1983 and gaining recognition by the Biotechnology community for this work as a recipient of the Distinguished New Zealand Biotechnologist award in June 2000.  Currently managing her business consulting company, (BioCatalyst Ltd) which advises early stage biotechnology ventures on commercialisation and capital raising, Maxine is also Chief Executive of the seed co-investment fund Cure Kid Ventures Limited.

Maxine graduated with an MSc in biological sciences from the University of Auckland and originally worked in medical research before starting her first business venture.  She has been very actively involved in the commercialization of science through her own companies, those she has advised in her consultant role and also through her involvement on investment and review committees for Technology New Zealand.  Maxine was a founding director of Industry New Zealand (now New Zealand Trade and Enterprise) and also formerly a director of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.

Maxine is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors, is currently Chair of NZBIO and a director of the Maurice Wilkins Centre for BioDiscovery, BioCatalyst, Industrial Research, Photonz Corporation and KODE Biotech.