The Comvita Board of Directors 2012: Neil Craig, Alan Bougen, Robert Tait, David Cullwick, Maurice Prendergast and Sarah Ottrey.
Neil John Craig
B.AG COM (Economics)
Non-Executive Chairman
Tauranga
Neil has been Chairman of Comvita since September 2005. He is Executive Chairman of Craigs Investment Partners, a New Zealand Exchange Participant Firm and New Zealand’s largest retail broking firm. Craigs Investment Partners has approximately 310 staff across 17 branches throughout New Zealand.
Neil is also a Director of Pohutukawa Private Equity Limited, NZ Social Infrastructure Fund and a number of private companies. He is a member of the Institute of Directors.
Alan John Bougen
Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chairman
Mt Maunganui
Alan is the Deputy Chairman of Comvita, having been a foundation Director since 1976 and serving as Managing Director until 1998. His background in the natural healthcare industry, apiculture and international marketing brings a particularly pertinent industry and global perspective to the Board as Comvita continues in the developments of its key offshore markets.
Alan is a member of The Institute of Directors and operates his own consultancy business which includes directorships in other private companies.
Robert (Rob) Bertram Tait
B COM, Independent Director
Tauranga
A Director of Comvita since 1997, Rob has an extensive background in finance, accounting and corporate strategy. Working in both the public and private sectors he has considerable experience in governance roles.
He is the Chairman of NZX-listed Horizon Energy Limited and is a former Director of TrustBank Bay of Plenty Limited, East Bay Health Limited, Meteorological Services of New Zealand Limited and Bay of Plenty Community Trust (Chairman).
Rob retains a number of Directorships with small to medium enterprises and operates an independent consulting practice. He is a member of the Institute of Directors.
Thomas (David) Cartwright Cullwick
M. TECH, PHD 
(MGMT/MKTG)
Independent Director
Wellington
David was appointed to the Comvita Board in July 2005. From 1987 to 2001 he was a partner in Ernst & Young responsible for strategic management consulting and led a range of business development projects for New Zealand and internationally focused companies.
He was formerly Foundation Professor of Marketing at Victoria University; a Director of New Zealand Wool Board; Chairman, Hohepa Homes Trust Board and most recently Chair, New Zealand Film Commission.
David acts as an independent business advisor at Chief Executive and Board level and is a member of the Institute of Directors. David has a Ph.D in marketing and management from the Kellogg Business School, USA.
Maurice John Prendergast
Independent Director
Auckland
Maurice joined the Comvita Board in May 2008. Maurice is currently Chief Executive Officer for Pumpkin Patch Limited and has held this position since 1993. During this time, the Pumpkin Patch Group has grown extensively throughout the world under Maurice’s leadership.
Maurice brings international business experience with him, along with a wealth of knowledge in logistics, technology, retail and global expansion. Maurice has held executive positions in accounting, distribution and property development in both New Zealand and Australia.
He is a director of Pohutukawa Private Equity II Limited and a number of other private companies.
Sarah Ottrey
B COM (Marketing)
Independent Director
Wellington
Sarah joined the Comvita board in November 2012. She has a background in senior marketing roles in New Zealand and Asia for international companies Unilever and DB Breweries. In 1994, as Marketing Manager for Tui, Sarah generated the iconic, Tui, Yeah Right Campaign, which has run for an unprecedented 18 years and is still going strong.
In addition to being a professional Director, Sarah has her own Marketing Advisory company which focuses on consumer advocacy, brand building and governance work. Clients include and have included Beef + Lamb NZ, DB Breweries, SPARC and the BNZ.
Sarah's current directorships are with NZX-listed, EBOS Group Ltd, Smiths City Group Ltd and the NZX-unlisted Blue Sky Meats Ltd.