Our People

Skills is made up of some of our country’s best and brightest education specialists.
Our team operates over the length and breadth of New Zealand and across 22 different industries.
It’s our goal to grow New Zealand’s capability on the world stage, and to improve the lives of everyday Kiwis through ongoing education. That’s why we go out of our way to the hire the best people for the job. People who really care about the success of our students and who understand our industries and what they’re up against.
GARRY FISSENDEN
CEO
Garry is a highly experienced business leader, with an extensive career primarily in financial services and Information Communications Technology.
Garry has a diverse strategic and operational skill set gained from a number of senior management, consulting, and governance roles. He has successfully led a range of businesses in New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, in addition to being a strategy consultant.
He also has strong not-for-profit governance experience, and has been the Chair of a national sport in New Zealand and on the international board for that sport.
Taking a strong customer focus to all of his roles and using his broad skill set and experience, Garry builds unique, high-quality customer solutions.
Senior Leadership Team
Lance Riesterer
General Manager of Training & Small Market Enterprises
Lorraine Rowlands
General Manager of Wellness
Bridget Dennis
General Manager of International
Diane Lithgow
General Manager of Vocational Consultancy
Scott Bitchener
Chief Financial Officer
Nicola Dashper
General Manager of Services
Helen Carter
General Manager of Marketing & Business Development
Lynnda Church
General Manager of Consulting
Andrew Smith
General Manager of Product & Technology