Helen Mexted

Experience

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  Tower Insurance

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2005

  Head of Marketing and Communications

  Led the Investments product delivery, marketing and communications team of around 12 FTEs. Member of Senior Management Team and Australasian Strategic Communications Group: responsible for brand, marketing strategy, product development and delivery (working closely with the product teams), customer acquisition and retention, market research and intelligence, customer and stakeholder communications, programme and campaign activity - at BU and product level. Worked with intermediary channels and direct with customers. Show less

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  St Laurence Ltd

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2009

  General Manager Funding and Corporate Services

  Property based investment and funds management group, managing more than $1.2 billion in assets for over 18,000 investors. Worked across NZ and Australia, with functional responsibility for major NZX- and NZDX-listed entities. Reported to MD, led a team of 14. Responsible for aspects of significant transactions including acquisition and take-over offers. Group-wide responsibilities included: funding and fund-raising (acquisition, growth and retention); client, intermediary and strategic partner relationships; product development and capital raising; marketing, communications, PR and external/investor relations; distribution, sales and business development; registry operations and client sales and service; and Corporate Services functions of HR, IT strategy and infrastructure, and Administration. Show less

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  Federated Farmers

  Jan 2009 - Mar 2010

  General Manager Membership and Business Development

  Member of the executive team for NZ's largest independent farm policy and advocacy organisation; lead a team of 16 across Sales, Marketing, Service and Operations. Responsible for revenue, growth and retention of 27,000 members; Member benefits; Product and Services; managing Partner and Sponsor programmes (together comprising around 90% of the organisations' funding); and Loyalty Offerings.

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  Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

  Mar 2010 - Aug 2011

  General Manager Sales, Marketing and Communications

  Member of executive team. Led a team of 25 responsible for sales, marketing and communications strategy and programmes for membership growth, product and services, brand development, external relations and stakeholder engagement.

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  Public Trust

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2013

  General Manager Marketing

  Member of the executive team; headed up the marketing, communications and product function and led a team of 25 for this Crown Entity, NZ's largest trustee organisation, providing Wills, estate administration, wealth and financial services to 250,000 customers. Responsible for customer strategy, brand, media, online, external and marketing communications, direct/digital campaigns; product management; and portfolio management for the Customer & Product change programme.

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  Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ)

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2018

  Deputy Chief Executive Advocacy

  Member of executive responsible for leading strategic advocacy, policy, communications, stakeholder engagement and sector performance. Core focus on strengthening brand and reputation and policy programmes, increasing voice, lifting sector outcomes, representing and advocating on behalf of local government members on key issues, forming strong relationships with government, Maori/iwi, media and other stakeholders.

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  Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa | Outdoor Access Commission

  Aug 2018 - now

  Board Member

  Board Member of Crown Entity working with communities to create enduring access to tracks and trails across Aotearoa.

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  Ministry of Social Development (MSD)

  Aug 2018 - Oct 2019

  Group General Manager Communications and Engagement

  Led MSD-wide communications and engagement function and team of 50 people providing strategic and operational advice and services. Delivered a new operating model and built a high performing team, and developed and implemented a significant strategy programme around brand, reputation, media, social media, digital, corporate communications, stakeholder and internal engagement. Ex officio member on Executive Leadership Team and People Committee member.

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  Greater Wellington Regional Council

  Jun 2019 - Oct 2023

  Independent Director WRC Holdings and Greater Wellington Rail

  Independent Director for Greater Wellington Regional Council’s commercial investments in port and rail.

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  Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand

  Feb 2020 - Aug 2020

  Strategic Communications and Engagement, Overseas Investment Office

  Developed and implemented strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, information and education programme for the Overseas Investment Office.

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  Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

  May 2022 - Mar 2024

  Member of the executive and communications and engagement head for the greater Wellington region. Led integration of teams, and developed channels and content to support and engage our 20,000-strong workforce and 500,000-strong community. Seconded to national executive lead to set-up the communications and engagement function and support the organisation in its first year of operation - brought together 29 teams, developed brand, digital channels, internal comms for 85,000 staff, media, change, stakeholder and ministerial relations, strategy and design of operating model.

  • Director, Communications and Engagement

    Aug 2020 - Mar 2024

  • Interim Lead Communications & Executive (executive) | Internal, Channels, Business Partners

    May 2022 - Jul 2023
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  Helen Mexted Consulting

  Apr 2024 - now

  Director, Consultant, Advisor

  Supporting organisations to deliver on strategic needs for leadership, governance, transformation, business planning, project delivery, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications. Assignments include:• Independent Director, IrrigationNZ

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  NZSA (New Zealand Society of Actuaries)

  Apr 2024 - now

  Chief Executive

  Inaugural CE for New Zealand’s professional body for actuaries practicing locally and internationally. Executes strategy, leads operations, manages transformation, supports strong governance, and is public voice and face for actuaries in the sectors where they practice.