Our People
Our team are comprised of multidisciplinary experts who combine real-world pragmatism with consultancy analysis and insight.
Our Leadership Team
Kim Gordon
Managing Partner
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With over 30 remarkable years of technology advisory experience, my expertise spans across various domains, including commercial, procurement, strategy, governance, and legal roles.
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Digital strength means being able to make the best use of digital skills and capabilities, whether for yourself, you aiga, your organisation, your community or your country.
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Outside of work I love a good bike ride, knee willing! am partial to the odd Lavender Hill gin and making the most of time spent with my partner and two daughters.
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Partner
Alistair Mascarenhas
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Alistair has over 20 years ICT service delivery, operations and procurement experience.
Alistair has specialised in leading IT commercial and operational teams in New Zealand and overseas, his strengths include ICT Spend Analysis and Optimisation, ICT Sourcing, Change Management, and Process Improvement.
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Using technology as an enabler to enhance or deliver cost effective outcomes.
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Although I love what I do, family is most important to me. Spending time with my wife, three boys and friends is how I like to spend my time!
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Kevin Robinson
Partner
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I have over 25 years’ experience in the technology sector across a broad range of areas including advisory, governance, management, delivery and operations.
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Supporting companies to:
Utilise Technology to optimise their business functions and processes
Deliver efficiencies to increase productivity and reduce costs
Innovative to deliver high quality leading services
Increase revenue and market share
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Outside of work, I find joy in sports, quality time with family and friends, and making the most of New Zealand's splendid outdoors, including its beautiful beaches and ocean.
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Kellie Daly
Operations Manager
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Over 25 years experience in Marketing, Project Management and Operations Management working for large corporates through to SME’s with industry experience across Professional Services, FMCG, Telco and Manufacturing.
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Digital strength is harnessing the power of digital tools and strategy to support Ara Digital to achieve our vision.
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In my down time I enjoy cooking and entertaining friends and family especially my 2 (not so little) people, getting away down to the Coromandel is my happy place!
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David Chapman-Smith
Director
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I have over 20 years’ technology / ICT advisory experience across commercial, procurement, strategy, governance, management, programme management and legal roles.
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For me, digital strength means sound strategic investment in digital infrastructure and talent to ensure continued relevance, competitiveness and efficiency.
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When I’m not working, I enjoy mountain biking, playing cricket, tennis, hockey, diving, fishing, sailing, surfing, SUPing, hunting, cooking, barbecuing, travelling etc... oh and of course spending quality time with my family and friends, dog, sheep, chickens, vegetable garden and orchard.
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Rob Gibbs
Director
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I have held multiple Executive and Senior level positions in my 30 year ICT career, most recently at Spark, Health Alliance and New Zealand Post prior to joining Ara Digital early 2022. My key expertise includes Strategic Sourcing, Vendor Management and Commercial Negotiation – particularly when conducted within the Government Procurement Rules framework.
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To Me Digital Strength is about owning and taking control of your digital presence, while leveraging relevant new Digital tools to help move your business forward.
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I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and consuming far to much quality Pinot Noir. I love anything to do with the ocean, and am an enthusiastic cruiser.
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Nichole Leyland
Director
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I have over 24 years’ management and delivery experience leading large transformational programs and delivery and operational teams across diverse sectors including Information Technology, Health, Supply Chain and Logistics, Professional Services and Government both in New Zealand and overseas.
My experience enables me to sit across the full transformation lifecycle to conceptualise an idea or solution, right through to delivery and embedding within the culture of an organisation to ensure desired outcomes are achieved.
Domain experience includes Strategy, Strategic Portfolio Management, Enterprise Program Delivery, Governance, Change Management and Process Improvement.
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For me, digital strength means understanding how to harness digital technologies and innovations to transform an organisations ‘Engine’, (operating model).
Supporting companies to make sound strategic investment in capability and talent, helps organisations build resilience, ensure competitiveness, optimise operations and retain and attract the right talent.
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Family is important to me, so outside of work you will find me making the most of my time with family including my daughter, our fur babies and friends.
I also love gardening and unleashing my creativity in baking and cake decorating.
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Milly Jantke
Consultant
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I recently graduated from The University of Auckland with a double major in Marketing and International Business as part of my Bachelor of Commerce degree. Additionally, I earned a Bachelor of Global Studies, specialising in Global Politics and Human Rights.
My commitment to sustainability and global issues led me to complete the QS Future17 Sustainable Development Goals Challenge Programme. In the past nine years, I've dedicated myself to mastering Mandarin, and I currently volunteer with the New Zealand China Trade Young Associates to further deepen my engagement with cross-cultural initiatives.
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It signifies the optimisation of systems and a digital infrastructure which drives efficiency, resilience and growth.
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I love all things health and wellbeing so outside of work, you’ll find me training for a marathon, or spending time with my family and friends.
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Tyson Tamihere
Manager
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I have over 10 years experience across both private and government organisations, working within technology. I have a background in delivery, with a focus primarily on strategic sourcing and procurement capability uplift over the past five years.
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To me digital strength means developing the skills and tools to be confident navigating the modern world.
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Outside of work, I have recently become a new father and love spending time with my whānau. I’m a big fan of American sports, in particular the NBA and NFL, if I’m up late (or early) with the little one, I’ll try and catch parts of a basketball or American football game.
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Kay Thanki
Senior Consultant
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I hold a Bachelor of Laws and Management Studies and bring over 3 years of experience in the management and technology consulting space. In my role as a consultant with Ara Digital, I've had the privilege of leading and supporting numerous engagements, resulting in successful outcomes across diverse sectors, including government agencies (health and defense) and private sector segments like financial services, energy, insurance, and transport/logistics.
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It's the empowerment to make well-informed decisions about technology, enabling me to drive business transformation with confidence.
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When I'm not immersed in the professional world, you can usually find me staying active and enjoying life outdoors. Whether it's hitting the gym or catching some waves with my husband, I'm always up for an adventure.
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David West
Senior Manager
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With more than 28 years of experience spanning diverse roles in procurement, sales and commercial management, I've honed my skills from various perspectives. Spending a significant portion of my career as a vendor, I'm now embracing the opportunity to contribute from the customer's perspective, leveraging my extensive knowledge to drive exceptional procurement outcomes.
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Helping companies procure modern technologies that both streamline business processes and provide better outcomes for their customers.
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In my personal time, I have a passion for exploring New Zealand's breathtaking and diverse landscapes. Whether it's pedalling the many cycle trails across the motu, diving the coastlines for the occasional crayfish or gliding down a mountain on a pair of skis, I revel in the outdoor adventures this beautiful country offers and love sharing it with my children.
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Francois Zegers
Senior Manager
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With a background in Law and languages, I have worked in legal, private and public sector environments in 5 different countries.
As well as practising as a Senior Associate in a national firm in New Zealand, I have held a variety of roles in the telecommunications industry. Roles have included Legal Counsel in Australia for a regional IPO, Head of Public Policy & Regulatory in a leading NZ mobile operator, GM Procurement in a telco in Hungary and category lead in global telecoms entity in Luxembourg.
More recently I have been involved in IT procurement in the health sector in New Zealand.
I have a wide range of experience including in both private and public sector procurement and business case preparation and submission.
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We live in a world where participation in any endeavour, whether this be access to knowledge, services or content is increasingly (and sometimes exclusively) online. As such, supporting the ability of all New Zealanders to engage with agencies and private organisations can only be achieved by enabling these organisations to select, maintain and evolve their online presence and tools. Digital strength means learning, sharing and supporting evolution and capabilities in these organisations and in their IT solutions to be benefits of both our clients and their end-users & consumers.
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Some people collect stamps or watches – I collect languages. Epic fail with Hungarian, but I am fluent in French and English, am proficient in Spanish and dabble in German. I am trying to learn te reo Māori.
When not working, I do love hopping on my Triumph motorcycle to explore New Zealand. My sanity is preserved by running most days and enjoying great food and wine with great company.
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