Tait is financially independent and is audited annually by PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
Because of its trust structure, set up by Founder Sir Angus Tait, the company's independence and customers' continuity of service is assured. The company enjoys stable governance and calls upon an experienced management team.
While several corporate functions are based in Christchurch, New Zealand, the company prides itself on its international customer base and global support network. The company works with a network of sales/support offices, dealers, system integrators and consultants which spans the globe.
Tait Electronics Ltd Board
Peter van Rij is the Tait Electronics Limited Board chairman.
Peter is a partner with the Christchurch-based legal firm Parry Field Lawyers and was appointed Chairman of Tait Electronics Limited following the death of founder and first Chairman Sir Angus Tait in 2007. He has been a legal advisor for the company since the late 1970s.
Peter has been a non-executive Director of Tait for 16 years and has a depth of experience in the business. Peter is also Chairman of the Postie Plus Group Limited.
Frank Owen is an executive director. Frank joined Tait in 2009 as Managing Director on Michael Chick’s retirement. Having spent a number of years as an electronics engineer for Philips in UK, France, Holland and Austria, Frank moved to the US, initially with Raychem, then to Tyco, where he had responsibility for their Power Components Division with a staff of over 4000 worldwide.
He has a BSc (First Class) in Electronic Engineering from University of London and an MBA from IMD International in Switzerland. He is a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, an amateur radio licence holder and a director of the Canterbury Development Corporation.
Rob Gill is a non-executive director. Rob has more than 20 years experience working for international companies, before he established Auckland-based consulting company Tresco five years ago. After spending his early career years in the merchant navy, Rob re-trained as a systems analyst and worked with McDonnell Douglas Information Systems, IBM and Compaq.
Rob gained nine years experience in the telecommunications industry working for Nokia in a variety of positions including first managing director for Nokia NZ and the director of sales and marketing for Nokia fixed networks based in Europe.
He was also Managing Director for Nokia Australia and GM Nokia Telecommunications Pacific Region based in Sydney. He is based in Auckland and is a director and shareholder in several companies.
Peter Taylor is a non-executive director. Peter Taylor, M.Com (Hons), FNZIM, F.Inst.D is an independent director and professional trustee.
Peter retired from Ernst & Young partnership in 1999. He is director of a number of public and private companies including Tait Electronics Ltd and recently retired as a National Councillor of the Institute of Directors. He is a former Vice President of the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce and past member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants National Taxation Committee.
His other interests include family and outdoor activities.
John O'Hara is a non-executive director. John O'Hara has 20 years experience advising businesses on commercialising innovation, setting up joint ventures and negotiating intellectual property licensing agreements.He is chairman of Clarity Commerce plc, a London-based software company, director and shareholder in Wellington-based GPS manufacturer Tekron International Limited, director of the Auckland University of Technology and founder, director and shareholder of A into G Limited.
John is also a member of an advisory board to Telecom New Zealand and consultant to several technology companies and government agencies in New Zealand. He is married with three children and spends his spare time as a recreational pilot and was, until 2007 a gliding instructor and tow pilot at RNZAF Base Auckland Aviation Sports Club at Whenuapai.
David Wade is an executive director. David was born in Canada and has lived in New Zealand with his family since 1987. David has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand.Prior to joining Tait, David was the Corporate Accountant and MIS Manager at ComputerLand New Zealand.
He has been an employee of Tait for more than 15 years and was appointed to the position of Finance Director of Tait Electronics Ltd in 2001. In addition to this role, David holds 12 directorships within the Tait group of companies worldwide.
Michael Chick is a non-executive director. Michael first joined Tait in the UK as managing director of Tait's European operation in 1991 and made it the best performing sales organisation within the group. In 1997 he moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, as the general manager of the mobile radio division, and then took up the position of managing director in June 2001 until June 2009.
Michael is a Fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, and is the Christchurch branch chairman of IEE. Married, with two sons in the United Kingdom, Michael likes travelling, camping and more recently has enjoyed flying in New Zealand.
Trevor Laughton is an executive director. Trevor has worked for Tait for over 20 years and is the Chief Technical Officer and an Executive Director of Tait Electronics Ltd. He began his career as an RF development engineer and has had various roles in engineering, marketing and corporate management.
Trevor holds both engineering and marketing qualifications and amongst other duties has been involved in the development of both European and North American private mobile radio standards for many years.
DMR
