THE FISC TEAM
FIONA EWING
National Safety Director
Fiona is an experienced executive with a focus on successful work and business improvement which result in positive health and safety outcomes. She has been the National Safety Director of the Forest Industry Safety Council since it became operational in October 2015. She is responsible for developing the ongoing strategy and successfully delivering work programmes. The role engages with key stakeholders across the forestry sector. Her focus is on care for people and good business outcomes. Fiona does this through addressing critical risk areas, influencing behaviours that promote a positive, proactive culture, and building trust and relationships at all levels.
She works collaboratively with other sector leadership bodies and government agencies. She is a member of the Business Leaders Health & Safety Forum Steering Group and Deputy Chair of the Forestry and Wood Processing Workforce Council.
Before joining FISC Fiona held roles in the energy sector in NZ and with the health & safety regulator in the UK.
Member of the Institute of Directors (Chartered Assessment completed)
A Chartered Member of the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health
Certified Member of the NZ Institute of Safety Management
Outside of work Fiona can be found on the New Plymouth beaches with her dog or riding motorbikes with her husband.
M: 027 502 8065
email: fiona.ewing@fisc.org.nz
National Safety Director
Fiona is an experienced executive with a focus on successful work and business improvement which result in positive health and safety outcomes. She has been the National Safety Director of the Forest Industry Safety Council since it became operational in October 2015. She is responsible for developing the ongoing strategy and successfully delivering work programmes. The role engages with key stakeholders across the forestry sector. Her focus is on care for people and good business outcomes. Fiona does this through addressing critical risk areas, influencing behaviours that promote a positive, proactive culture, and building trust and relationships at all levels.
She works collaboratively with other sector leadership bodies and government agencies. She is a member of the Business Leaders Health & Safety Forum Steering Group and Deputy Chair of the Forestry and Wood Processing Workforce Council.
Before joining FISC Fiona held roles in the energy sector in NZ and with the health & safety regulator in the UK.
Member of the Institute of Directors (Chartered Assessment completed)
A Chartered Member of the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health
Certified Member of the NZ Institute of Safety Management
Outside of work Fiona can be found on the New Plymouth beaches with her dog or riding motorbikes with her husband.
M: 027 502 8065
email: fiona.ewing@fisc.org.nz
JOHN LOWE
Project Manager
John joined FISC in 2019 having returned to Wellington after living abroad for the past 4 years.
He brings practical project management skills to FISC with experience in both Agile and Prince2 methodologies. With recent experience in open data and export business development, he has a strong interest in the Forestry sector and its impact on regional development. He is looking forward to contributing to the progress the industry has made on safety in the forest.
M: 021 164 8036
email: john.lowe@fisc.org.nz
Project Manager
John joined FISC in 2019 having returned to Wellington after living abroad for the past 4 years.
He brings practical project management skills to FISC with experience in both Agile and Prince2 methodologies. With recent experience in open data and export business development, he has a strong interest in the Forestry sector and its impact on regional development. He is looking forward to contributing to the progress the industry has made on safety in the forest.
M: 021 164 8036
email: john.lowe@fisc.org.nz
THE COUNCIL
SIMON O'GRADY
Independent Chair
Simon O’Grady is Chief Investment Officer and leads the Investment Management Team at Kiwi Wealth, with overall responsibility for investment management processes and functions. Kiwi Wealth is owned by the NZ Super Fund, ACC and NZ Post.
An experienced senior executive with extensive hands-on experience across all asset classes and styles, Simon has a strong track record in building and operating successful investment management businesses in both New Zealand and Australia.
Simon has spent 25 years working in investment management, with previous experience in various senior management roles including stints heading the areas of investment strategy, fixed interest, asset allocation, global and alternatives in Australia. Prior to this, he was with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, managing their foreign reserve investment portfolios.
A CFA charter holder, Simon is also a fellow of the Financial Services Institute Australasia (F.FIN) and a current director of the CFA society of NZ. He is an Authorised Financial Adviser (AFA) and holds a Diploma in Bank Finance from Massey University.
DON WALLACE
NZ Farm Forestry Association
Don Wallace represents the interests of small-scale growers on the Council. Along with his wife, he owns and operates 60 hectares of forestry and pasture in Otaki and has practical experience of the challenges that small-scale forest owners face in the safety area.
Don originally trained as a Professional Engineer, spent a period in sales and marketing and for the past 25 years has been running his own management consultancy. He has qualifications in Engineering and Public Policy and has been involved in the voluntary sector at both the local and national level. He is currently on the Executive of the NZFFA and represents them on the joint Environment and Fire Committees.
He is usually involved at a strategic or management level but has the ability, where required, to “drill down” into high complexity specialist technical areas and interpret them for clients. In a typical assignment Don may provide all or some of the following services:
Independent Chair
Simon O’Grady is Chief Investment Officer and leads the Investment Management Team at Kiwi Wealth, with overall responsibility for investment management processes and functions. Kiwi Wealth is owned by the NZ Super Fund, ACC and NZ Post.
An experienced senior executive with extensive hands-on experience across all asset classes and styles, Simon has a strong track record in building and operating successful investment management businesses in both New Zealand and Australia.
Simon has spent 25 years working in investment management, with previous experience in various senior management roles including stints heading the areas of investment strategy, fixed interest, asset allocation, global and alternatives in Australia. Prior to this, he was with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, managing their foreign reserve investment portfolios.
A CFA charter holder, Simon is also a fellow of the Financial Services Institute Australasia (F.FIN) and a current director of the CFA society of NZ. He is an Authorised Financial Adviser (AFA) and holds a Diploma in Bank Finance from Massey University.
DON WALLACE
NZ Farm Forestry Association
Don Wallace represents the interests of small-scale growers on the Council. Along with his wife, he owns and operates 60 hectares of forestry and pasture in Otaki and has practical experience of the challenges that small-scale forest owners face in the safety area.
Don originally trained as a Professional Engineer, spent a period in sales and marketing and for the past 25 years has been running his own management consultancy. He has qualifications in Engineering and Public Policy and has been involved in the voluntary sector at both the local and national level. He is currently on the Executive of the NZFFA and represents them on the joint Environment and Fire Committees.
He is usually involved at a strategic or management level but has the ability, where required, to “drill down” into high complexity specialist technical areas and interpret them for clients. In a typical assignment Don may provide all or some of the following services:
- Identification of the client’s needs;
- Finding how technology can be used to address these needs;
- Assisting the client to source the most appropriate solution;
- Managing the implementation to ensure that the predicted benefits are achieved.
KEVIN IHAKA
MD of FPS Forestry
Managing Director of FPS Forestry Ltd, based in Whangarei. FPS Forestry carries out silviculture operations and rural firefighting across Northland. I am a board member of FICA and the Chair of the Forest and Rural Fire Association New Zealand.
I have been involved in the forest industry for over 30 years and have seen our industry evolve over that time. I firmly believe that our industry can be safe, sustainable and professional through all stakeholders working together.
MD of FPS Forestry
Managing Director of FPS Forestry Ltd, based in Whangarei. FPS Forestry carries out silviculture operations and rural firefighting across Northland. I am a board member of FICA and the Chair of the Forest and Rural Fire Association New Zealand.
I have been involved in the forest industry for over 30 years and have seen our industry evolve over that time. I firmly believe that our industry can be safe, sustainable and professional through all stakeholders working together.
PRUE YOUNGER
CEO, Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA)
I currently hold the CEO position for the Forest Industry Contractors Association NZ which allows me to assimilate with both governance and operational roles and I am quickly taking up active roles on national advisory groups across the forestry industry. Developing and improving our communities is a fundamental drive of my own business, Public Impressions Ltd. an event management and marketing company. As well as the governance roles that I have contributed to, marketing and promoting events and businesses keeps me in touch with people who live and work in our regions. Health, education and well-being are fundamental to a positive economic success for anyone’s future.
I am an experienced Director, retired Chair of Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti where I actively introduced through the CEO process and performance reviews to increase the level of stakeholder involvement, fundraising and community awareness. I retired Chair of a community trust CONNEXT, targeted to offer leadership, governance and funding support to projects with a youth education, sport and wellbeing focus. With a move from Gisborne to Napier, I also retired as Chair of the NZCT Regional Advisory Group which as an organisation supports grass roots sports at a regional level. I have been a Board member with Hauora Tairawhiti and I have also been Trustee of the Eastland Rescue Helicopter Trust, Trustee for Tourism Eastland and Gisborne Intermediate School.
More recently I have joined the Hawkes Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust as a trustee and will enjoy applying my past knowledge in the sports sector and governance experience.
CEO, Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA)
I currently hold the CEO position for the Forest Industry Contractors Association NZ which allows me to assimilate with both governance and operational roles and I am quickly taking up active roles on national advisory groups across the forestry industry. Developing and improving our communities is a fundamental drive of my own business, Public Impressions Ltd. an event management and marketing company. As well as the governance roles that I have contributed to, marketing and promoting events and businesses keeps me in touch with people who live and work in our regions. Health, education and well-being are fundamental to a positive economic success for anyone’s future.
I am an experienced Director, retired Chair of Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti where I actively introduced through the CEO process and performance reviews to increase the level of stakeholder involvement, fundraising and community awareness. I retired Chair of a community trust CONNEXT, targeted to offer leadership, governance and funding support to projects with a youth education, sport and wellbeing focus. With a move from Gisborne to Napier, I also retired as Chair of the NZCT Regional Advisory Group which as an organisation supports grass roots sports at a regional level. I have been a Board member with Hauora Tairawhiti and I have also been Trustee of the Eastland Rescue Helicopter Trust, Trustee for Tourism Eastland and Gisborne Intermediate School.
More recently I have joined the Hawkes Bay Community Fitness Centre Trust as a trustee and will enjoy applying my past knowledge in the sports sector and governance experience.
LOUISA JONES
Assistant General Secretary, First Union
Louisa Jones is the Assistant General Secretary for FIRST Union where she oversees the union’s campaigns and communications for the union.
FIRST Union is a private sector union with 30,000 members including forestry and wood processing membership.
Louisa represents FIRST Union on the following:
Assistant General Secretary, First Union
Louisa Jones is the Assistant General Secretary for FIRST Union where she oversees the union’s campaigns and communications for the union.
FIRST Union is a private sector union with 30,000 members including forestry and wood processing membership.
Louisa represents FIRST Union on the following:
- Forestry Industry Safety Council board,
- Forestry Stewardship Council, social chamber
- Forestry and Wood Processing Workforce Council
- AS/NZS 4708 Sustainable Forest Management Standards Reference Committee
- Forestry and Wood Processing Workforce Council
- NZ Forest Certification Association board
WAYNE DEMPSTER
National H&S Manager, Rayonier Matariki Forests.
Wayne has been leading H&S at RMF for 15 years and with the support of his employer, involved in various industry safety groups over this period. Current industry contributions include active involvement in the FISC Operational Advisory Group (OAG), various Technical Action Groups and the FISC Council.
Wayne holds to the view that the forest industry has many incredibly creative and hard working people and sees his role as supporting them to grow and maintain safe and productive businesses and workplaces. Safe, healthy and productive workplaces = better off people = stronger whanau and communities.
He believes broader support for industry wide safety culture and certification initiatives, work practice innovation and continued upskilling and learning can only be good for the industry’s reputation and those who derive their livelihood from it. “I’ve always found forestry people don’t mind spending a dollar or commit time and effort where they see benefit. Our job on FISC is understand the industry’s strengths and weaknesses and find practical ways to evolve H&S thinking, practices and attitudes”.
National H&S Manager, Rayonier Matariki Forests.
Wayne has been leading H&S at RMF for 15 years and with the support of his employer, involved in various industry safety groups over this period. Current industry contributions include active involvement in the FISC Operational Advisory Group (OAG), various Technical Action Groups and the FISC Council.
Wayne holds to the view that the forest industry has many incredibly creative and hard working people and sees his role as supporting them to grow and maintain safe and productive businesses and workplaces. Safe, healthy and productive workplaces = better off people = stronger whanau and communities.
He believes broader support for industry wide safety culture and certification initiatives, work practice innovation and continued upskilling and learning can only be good for the industry’s reputation and those who derive their livelihood from it. “I’ve always found forestry people don’t mind spending a dollar or commit time and effort where they see benefit. Our job on FISC is understand the industry’s strengths and weaknesses and find practical ways to evolve H&S thinking, practices and attitudes”.
KARL BOWMAN
Workplace Trainer Assessor for Rosewarne Contractors in Northland.
Over 25 years of experience in forest harvesting as a worker, then as crew foreman. For the past ten years I have worked as a Trainer Assessor, Company Auditor doing Operational Audits and Safe Behavioural Observations.
I have also provided assistance with implementing and managing Health and Safety Systems for contractor’s crews and companies.
I enjoy working with people learning and teaching new skills.
Workplace Trainer Assessor for Rosewarne Contractors in Northland.
Over 25 years of experience in forest harvesting as a worker, then as crew foreman. For the past ten years I have worked as a Trainer Assessor, Company Auditor doing Operational Audits and Safe Behavioural Observations.
I have also provided assistance with implementing and managing Health and Safety Systems for contractor’s crews and companies.
I enjoy working with people learning and teaching new skills.
ROSS DAVIS
Director of Log Lease and President of FICA
Ross has been a logging contractor for over 30 years. He started his career with a small ground base crew then became the key supplier to CHHF in 1997 in the Hauraki/Coromandel region.
At the peak of his logging career he had five hauler crews and two ground base. It was during this time his passion for haulers started to evolve, he has since gone on to develop his lease business which leases haulers & forestry equipment all over NZ.
He is a founding member of FICA (forest industry contractors association) and is the current president & sits on the Woodco board.
Director of Log Lease and President of FICA
Ross has been a logging contractor for over 30 years. He started his career with a small ground base crew then became the key supplier to CHHF in 1997 in the Hauraki/Coromandel region.
At the peak of his logging career he had five hauler crews and two ground base. It was during this time his passion for haulers started to evolve, he has since gone on to develop his lease business which leases haulers & forestry equipment all over NZ.
He is a founding member of FICA (forest industry contractors association) and is the current president & sits on the Woodco board.
GRANT DODSON
Chief Executive, City Forests
With support from Tasman Forestry as a scholarship student Grant completed a B.For.Sci degree at Canterbury in 1990. Initially working for New Zealand Forest Products in Kinleith, Grant worked primarily in Harvesting and Supply Chain roles. Transferring to Australia with Carter Holt Harvey in 1997 Grant initially worked in wood supply in North East Victoria before moving into processing as Site Manager of Myrtleford Plymill and later Morwell Sawmill. Grant returned to New Zealand in 2006 to take up his current role as Chief Executive of City Forests Limited in Dunedin.
Grant is a member of the Forest Owners Association Executive currently in the role of vice president. He sits on the Forest Industry Safety Council and is a Board Member of Forest Growers Research Limited. Grant Chairs the Southern Wood Council, the School of Forestry Advisory Committee and is is also the Chairman or the New Zealand Game Animal Council.
WILLIE SINCLAIR
Health, Safety & Environmental Coordinator, Wenita Forest Products Limited
I have worked in forestry for about 20 years, in both ground based and cable harvesting operations in the Otago and Southland regions. In 2014 I became a Competenz trainer/assessor and worked with local companies and crews training, assessing and auditing. In 2018 I took up my current role with Wenita helping manage the health, safety, fire and environmental aspects of the company. I also work as an inhouse assessor and assess fallers under the Safetree tree faller certification programme.
I currently sit on the Forest Owners Association training and careers committee.
Chief Executive, City Forests
With support from Tasman Forestry as a scholarship student Grant completed a B.For.Sci degree at Canterbury in 1990. Initially working for New Zealand Forest Products in Kinleith, Grant worked primarily in Harvesting and Supply Chain roles. Transferring to Australia with Carter Holt Harvey in 1997 Grant initially worked in wood supply in North East Victoria before moving into processing as Site Manager of Myrtleford Plymill and later Morwell Sawmill. Grant returned to New Zealand in 2006 to take up his current role as Chief Executive of City Forests Limited in Dunedin.
Grant is a member of the Forest Owners Association Executive currently in the role of vice president. He sits on the Forest Industry Safety Council and is a Board Member of Forest Growers Research Limited. Grant Chairs the Southern Wood Council, the School of Forestry Advisory Committee and is is also the Chairman or the New Zealand Game Animal Council.
WILLIE SINCLAIR
Health, Safety & Environmental Coordinator, Wenita Forest Products Limited
I have worked in forestry for about 20 years, in both ground based and cable harvesting operations in the Otago and Southland regions. In 2014 I became a Competenz trainer/assessor and worked with local companies and crews training, assessing and auditing. In 2018 I took up my current role with Wenita helping manage the health, safety, fire and environmental aspects of the company. I also work as an inhouse assessor and assess fallers under the Safetree tree faller certification programme.
I currently sit on the Forest Owners Association training and careers committee.